Airlink formalises name change
Airlink has officially changed its company name from “SA Airlink” to “Airlink”.
Earlier this year Airlink ended its 23 year franchise agreement with South African Airways and began operating and issuing tickets on its own “4Z” code and designator. This has liberated Airlink and enabled it to forge commercial ties with other international airlines that carry passengers and cargo to and from destinations across Southern Africa. It has subsequently signed collaborative “interline” agreements with Qatar Airways, Emirates, British Airways, KLM, Air France and United.
In addition, Airlink flights are now sold on www.flyairlink.com and no longer via SAA’s website.
“The subtle, but significant, name change is a key element of our re-positioning, recovery and growth strategy,” said Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.
“It should be seen together with recent commercial developments, including the interline agreements, the launch of our own mainline South African domestic services and new regional routes linking Johannesburg with Maputo and Windhoek. Airlink plans to announce additional new and reinstated routes in the coming weeks and months,” he explained.
Airlink’s new Johannesburg-Cape Town and Johannesburg-Durban services, which are South Africa’s domestic trunk routes, enable Airlink passengers to connect with our other domestic, long-haul and regional flights on a single ticket.
Airlink took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns to focus on its business continuity and future position in what has become a completely changed market. “The measures we have taken have all been in the best interests of the company, its employees, customers, suppliers, and shareholders. Today Airlink is a financially sound and robust business,” said Foster.
“In the meantime, we continue to remain focussed on the job at hand, operating our schedule and keeping our customers happy by flying them to their destinations safely, on time and affordably.”
