Qatar Airways Group, the flag carrier of Qatar, has acquired a 25 pc stake in Airlink, a leading independent regional carrier in Southern Africa. 

In a press statement, Qatar Airways says that this announcement is a continuation of the airline’s ambition to further develop its operations across the African continent.

The airline says that the investment in Airlink, which flies to more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries, will enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines. 

It adds that the partnership also seeks to align both carriers’ loyalty programmes, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Airlink Skybucks.

Qatar Airways adds that the deal will bolster its Africa growth strategy and cement its role as a key driver to the continent’s economic success.

Badr Mohammed Al-Meer

“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,” says Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways Group.

Rodger Foster

“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,” says Rodger Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Airlink.

The statement adds that Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa, and there has been strong growth in the market with new destinations added to the Qatar Airways network on the continent since December 2020.

Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt are the African cities newly added to the extensive Qatar Airways network, while flights to Cairo and Alexandria were resumed.