Airlink and Kenya Airways offer connected route networks in Africa. Image: Adobe Stock
Independent SA airline Airlink joins forces with Kenya Airways
Airlink has expanded its reach by signing an interline agreement with one of Africa’s leading airlines.
Airlink and Kenya Airways offer connected route networks in Africa. Image: Adobe Stock
The interline agreement between the independently owned local airline Airlink and Kenya Airways will enable enhanced connectivity for passengers of both airlines to more than 40 cities across Africa, via airport hubs in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
“As global economies continue to reel from the effects of the pandemic, such strategic partnerships are critical. These new routes will positively impact the flow of trade and tourism across the region by offering our customers convenient travel around the continent,” said Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways chief commercial officer, as quoted in Airline Geeks.
Airlink expansion drive
Airlink has been on an expansion drive since returning to the skies last year when airlines were allowed to resume scheduled flights.
Airlink is now statistically the second-largest airline on the African continent behind Ethiopian Airlines, according to the number of seats offered by airlines operating on the African continent.
Airlink and Kenya Airways: Benefits
The arrangement will enable Airlink’s passengers to travel via Johannesburg and Cape Town to destinations in Kenya Airways’ vast African route network. Kenya Airways’ customers can also connect from Kenya Airways’ flights to a number of local and regional destinations that are served by Airlink, including Windhoek, Gaborone, Maseru, Maputo, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Last year, Airlink signed interline agreements with two major international airlines: Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways. Partnerships between airlines who have signed interline agreements offer passengers single ticket convenience with “one-stop baggage and check-in procedures”.
Boarding passes are issued at the start of a journey, and baggage will be checked through to the passenger’s final destination. This enables convenient connections for passengers taking connecting flights with two different airlines.
