Airlink and Partners: A Winning Formula for African Travel Agents

Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier regional airline, is poised to significantly expand its network reach through enhanced codeshare agreements with global giants Emirates and Air France. This strategic move opens exciting new avenues for African travel agents, providing seamless access to a wider range of destinations and travel options for their clients.

From August 1st, 2025, Emirates will extend its existing codeshare with Airlink, adding three new routes from Johannesburg: Beira (Mozambique), Livingstone (Zambia), and Ndola (Zambia). This expansion builds upon a well-established partnership that already connects Emirates’ passengers to over 40 destinations across Southern Africa, including major cities and regional hubs in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

This collaboration offers travelers the convenience of single-ticket itineraries, seamless baggage transfers, and smoother connections between Emirates’ global network and Airlink’s extensive Southern African footprint. For African travel agents, this translates to simplified booking processes and enhanced travel experiences for their clients, boosting the appeal of Southern African destinations.

Air France is also strengthening its ties with Airlink, with new codeshare routes set to launch on October 26th, 2025. These additions will enable seamless connections from Cape Town to popular safari and regional destinations, including Hoedspruit (gateway to Kruger National Park), Skukuza (Kruger National Park), Upington (Northern Cape), Maun (Okavango Delta, Botswana), and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).

This expansion follows Air France’s initial codeshare with Airlink in late 2024, which connected Johannesburg and Cape Town to 14 domestic destinations within South Africa. The enhanced partnership allows passengers to earn Flying Blue miles on eligible codeshare flights, adding further value for frequent flyers.

The expanded codeshare agreements between Airlink, Emirates, and Air France represent a significant development for the African travel industry. These partnerships unlock a wealth of opportunities for travel agents to curate unique and compelling travel packages, catering to the growing demand for seamless regional and international travel.

Airlink, with its extensive network and focus on regional connectivity, serves as the crucial link between global carriers and Southern Africa’s diverse destinations. The airline’s modern fleet of Embraer regional jets ensures comfortable and efficient travel, enhancing the overall passenger experience.

The partnership with Emirates opens up access to a vast global network, connecting Southern Africa to key markets in the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. This is particularly beneficial for attracting long-haul travelers seeking seamless connections to safari destinations and regional business hubs.

The collaboration with Air France strengthens ties with the European market, providing convenient access to Southern Africa’s natural wonders and cultural attractions. The added benefit of earning Flying Blue miles further incentivizes travel and enhances customer loyalty.

For African travel agents, these partnerships offer a range of advantages:

• Increased product offerings: Agents can now offer a wider variety of itineraries and travel options, combining regional and international flights with ease.

• Simplified booking process: Single-ticket itineraries and seamless baggage transfers streamline the booking experience for both agents and travelers.

• Enhanced customer satisfaction: Smoother connections and enhanced travel experiences contribute to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business.

• Access to new markets: The expanded network reach opens doors to new customer segments, particularly from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

• Competitive advantage: By leveraging these partnerships, African travel agents can differentiate themselves and gain a competitive edge in the market.

The projected increase in passenger volumes resulting from these codeshares presents a significant revenue opportunity for travel agents. By proactively promoting these new travel options and crafting attractive packages, agents can capitalize on the growing demand for Southern African travel and contribute to the region’s tourism growth.

These strategic alliances not only benefit Airlink and its partners but also empower African travel agents to play a more prominent role in the global tourism landscape. By embracing these opportunities, agents can unlock the full potential of Southern Africa as a premier travel destination and drive sustainable growth for the region’s tourism sector.