LATEST UPDATE - Customer Notice: Flight Delays (04 January 2026) More Details
LATEST UPDATE - Customer Notice: Flight Delays (04 January 2026) More Details
LATEST TRAVEL NEWS AND UPDATES
Service Disruption Notice: Flight Delays
Airlink advises customers that flights this afternoon and evening are delayed due to air traffic control constraints at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. The disruptions are caused by ATNS staffing shortages and the suspension or expiry of certain instrument flight procedures. These issues have led to departure delays, airspace restrictions, and some flight diversions, impacting the overall schedule. Airlink is working to recover operations and minimise delays. Updates will be shared via Airlink’s app, social media, and airport information screens.
Read MoreZimbabwe Immigration Update
Passengers traveling to Zimbabwe are now required to complete arrival forms online before departure, as paper forms are no longer in use. While iPads are provided at immigration in Zimbabwe for this purpose, completing the form on arrival may result in delays. To ensure a smoother and quicker journey through immigration, we recommend completing your form in advance by going to https://evisa.gov.zw/app/index.html
Read MoreSpecial Assistance Requests
Passengers with special requests are required to confirm their requests for assistance 72 hours before the flight, subject to availability.
Read MoreBook a Single Through-Fare Ticket to Avoid Delays
All international customers are urged to book one (1) single ticket with through-fares, as opposed to booking separate tickets to avoid flight delays. Please note that it is essential to read the fare rules.
Read More
LATEST UPDATE - Customer Notice: Flight Delays (04 January 2026) More Details
LATEST UPDATE - Customer Notice: Flight Delays (04 January 2026) More Details
LATEST TRAVEL NEWS AND UPDATES
Service Disruption Notice: Flight Delays
Airlink advises customers that flights this afternoon and evening are delayed due to air traffic control constraints at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. The disruptions are caused by ATNS staffing shortages and the suspension or expiry of certain instrument flight procedures. These issues have led to departure delays, airspace restrictions, and some flight diversions, impacting the overall schedule. Airlink is working to recover operations and minimise delays. Updates will be shared via Airlink’s app, social media, and airport information screens.
Read MoreZimbabwe Immigration Update
Passengers traveling to Zimbabwe are now required to complete arrival forms online before departure, as paper forms are no longer in use. While iPads are provided at immigration in Zimbabwe for this purpose, completing the form on arrival may result in delays. To ensure a smoother and quicker journey through immigration, we recommend completing your form in advance by going to https://evisa.gov.zw/app/index.html
Read MoreSpecial Assistance Requests
Passengers with special requests are required to confirm their requests for assistance 72 hours before the flight, subject to availability.
Read MoreBook a Single Through-Fare Ticket to Avoid Delays
All international customers are urged to book one (1) single ticket with through-fares, as opposed to booking separate tickets to avoid flight delays. Please note that it is essential to read the fare rules.
Read MoreChoose Preferences
Service Disruption Notice: Flight Delays
04 January 2026 – Airlink sincerely regrets the delays caused to its flights this afternoon and this evening. We are working to recover the schedule and ensure that all passengers reach their intended destinations as soon as possible.
The delays stem from the Air Traffic Navigation Service’s (ATNS) failure to ensure it has sufficient staff to accommodate and manage the normal scheduled traffic to and from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport today.
In addition, a number of departure and arrival instrument flight procedures for O.R. Tambo International remain suspended, including some withdrawn as recently as 09 December, after ATNS failed to renew their validity before they expired.
Today’s schedule disruptions have had a ripple effect on all of our flights. In addition to departure delays from O.R. Tambo International, the shortage of air traffic controllers prompted a restriction on the number of flights permitted to be in Johannesburg’s airspace at any given time. This required the diversion of some flights to other airports, including Gaborone and Durban, leaving us with aircraft and flight crews out of position. Rest assured, we are working to resolve all of the delays as quickly as ATNS can accommodate us.
Updates will be posted online on Airlink’s app and social media channels. For flight status updates, customers should also check the departures and arrivals screens at airports. However, this is a developing and fluid situation completely beyond Airlink’s control and we are grateful for your patience and understanding.
Customers requiring assistance with booking changes should contact our Reservations office on tel: +27 11 451 7300 or their travel agencies.