By Roland Ohaeri
Qatar Airways Group has announced that it has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Southern Africa’s premier independent regional carrier, Airlink. The announcement, Qatar Airways said, is a continuation of the multi award-winning airline’s ambition to further develop its operations across the African continent.
The new Qatar Airways-Airlink relationship sends a new signal regarding the airlines equation in Southern Africa, and Africa in general where most airlines are fragmented, financially weak and challenged by harsh operating environments that renders them less competitive. A number of large carriers from the Middle East and Europe have continued to invest in airlines in the East and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean regions as a w to strengthen their foothold in the African market.
While the new Qatar Airways’ investment in Airlink will enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines, the Qatar Airways said the deal will bolster Qatar Airways’ Africa growth strategy and cement its role as a key driver to the continent’s economic success.
Already, Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt are the African cities newly added to the extensive Qatar Airways network, while Cairo and Alexandria were resumed, Qatar Airways stated. Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa, and there’s been strong growth in the market with new destinations added to the Qatar Airways network on the continent since December 2020.
Airlink has a robust operation throughout Southern Africa as well as Madagascar and St Helena Island. With its fleet of over 65 modern jetliners, Airlink flies to 45 destinations in 15 countries in Africa andk offers worldwide connections through its partners, which include Qatar Airways amongst many trusted and well-known inter-continental brands, and its FlyNamibia franchise.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business’ future. This partnership not only demonstrates our confidence in Airlink, as a company that is resilient, agile, financially robust and governed on sound principles, but also in Africa as a whole, showing huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising.”
Airlink Chief Executive, Rodger Foster, said: “Having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and echoes our faith in the markets we currently serve and plan to add to our network. This transaction will unlock growth by providing efficiencies of scale, increasing our capacity and expanding our marketing reach. By bolstering Airlink and its business, this investment will strengthen all of the existing airline partnerships Airlink has nurtured over the years.”
Established in 1992, Airlink has grown to become the leading airline in Southern Africa. Airlink is also a Member airline of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and accredited under its safety audit programme.
