Airlink Profile

Pre 1992
Airlink's origins are rooted in three small airlines, Magnum Airlines, Border Air and City Air, which merged to form Link Airways in the '80s. Subsequently, Link Airways was liquidated in 1992. After Rodger Foster and Barrie Webb, the two founders, had successfully bid for the business, they named the newly acquired airline 'Airlink'.

When Airlink was first formed, no one within the company could have imagined that the small, fledgling airline would one day grow into the largest independent regional airline in southern Africa, linking passengers to the smaller towns, cities and regional centres than any other local airline.

Airlink’s growth path includes the acquisition of some smaller competitors such as Air Midlands and Metavia. Back in 1992, when it officially commenced operating, the airline’s head count was a meagre 32. Today, Airlink’s staff complement is around 1,000 people. In 1992, only a motley fleet of twin-prop Metroliners and Chieftains was flying the Airlink colours, offering a total capacity of only 25,000 seats per year.

1995
In 1995 Airlink officially launched its new J41 aircraft fleet on 25 March at an August gathering of important guests including Queen Elizabeth II. Today, Airlink boasts a fleet exceeding 30 aircraft, including its flagship fleet of 10 four-engine British Aerospace Avro RJ85s, which accommodate 83 passengers each. The airline currently carries more than one million passengers annually by way of 35,000 flight missions. Airlink is proud to note that, despite fluctuations in the country’s economy, it has shown growth in every single year of its existence.

1997
In 1997 SA Airlink joined South African Airways and South African Express in a powerful strategic alliance which led to the establishment of the leading aviation network in Africa. SAA and its regional partner, Airlink continues their existing partnership. The long term plan for the relationship is to form an alliance, which will allow Airlink to grow in all markets. Airlink will have the opportunity to serve any route domestic and regional which is commercially viable to it.

Airlink is a South African Airways franchisee and a component of a large composite branded airline network system extending throughout Africa. By providing convenient connections with SAA, its Star Alliance Partner airlines and other international carriers, Airlink can offer passengers seamless flights to destinations around the world, and the opportunity to earn voyager miles.

Airlink's success over the past years is fully attributable to the commitment, dedication and enthusiasm of the Airlink staff, the travel trade, and Airlink's suppliers and customers, who have supported Airlink through some tough challenges over the years. "Airlink has been truly fortunate in having stakeholders of the highest calibre, from our support staff on the ground to our flight crews in the air, including our shareholders," says Foster. "In addition, on behalf of Airlink, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the travel industry for their loyalty and support, and to our millions of valued customers, for helping Airlink grow continuously over the past 21 years to the solid robust airline it has become at our coming of age," concludes Foster.

Airlink has over many years relentlessly pursued an aggressive intra-SADC regional expansion programme, establishing a comprehensive network of strategically important destinations within South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, Madagascar and Lesotho. In all, Airlink services more than 30 destinations throughout southern Africa, with more routes in the pipeline.

1999
In 1999 Swaziland Airlink was formed as a joint venture company between the Swaziland Government and Airlink to take over operations, from Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation, as the national carrier of Swaziland. Swaziland Airlink, the pride of the kingdom, provides direct and convenient daily return scheduled jet flights from Manzini to Johannesburg. Swaziland Airlink offers seamless interline connections with Airlink, SAA and its partner flights around the world. Qualify for free travel by earning Voyager Miles through flying on Swaziland Airlink.

2000
On 3 April 2000, Airlink officially opens the Kruger Park Gateway Airport in Phalaborwa. Phalaborwa, the true gateway to both game and golf, is the central gate to the world's most famous nature reserve, the Kruger National Park. The airport is situated approx 2 km from the Phalaborwa Gate, providing easy access to the northern camps such as Letaba, Olifants, Mopani, Shingwedzi and Punda Maria as well as many famous private game lodges. Admire the Park by open 4x4 vehicle, or take a safari on the Olifants River amongst hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife. A bush walk offers a close encounter with the habitat of the Parks wildlife.

2006
In January 2006 something new took flight, Airlink - formerly SA Airlink - did not only change its name but corporate identity too, giving you the freedom of flying to the smaller and regional centres and cities throughout Southern Africa. To achieve this essential objective, our new corporate identity programme clearly represents the concept of flight, graphically emphasising the airlines corporate positioning statement, "Freedom of the African Sky". And clearly positions Airlink as being "Proudly South African", with our tail displaying the distinctive national colours of blue, red, green and gold. It also uniquely features the brightly coloured and popular "Sunbird" found flying throughout the African Continent.

Airlink new advertising campaign embraces, the dream of flight that has long captured our imaginations, as children we would extend our arms like wings and run about without a care in the world ... and that's exactly the message we want to communicate to our passengers - spread your wings and fly with Airlink.

Airlink successfully completed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and were placed on the IATA Register on 6 February 2008. So you're assured of the highest possible standard of service whenever and wherever you fly Airlink. The airline is continually setting benchmarks in operational safety and reliability through superior standards of professionalism, efficiency and a strong focus on customer service delivery.

2009
In October 2009 Airlink moves into their new head office based in Greenstone Hill Office Park, Modderfontein.

Airlink Cargo a division of SA Airlink (Pty) Ltd is a dedicated cargo ground handling company. It has three trading divisions: the domestic ground handling division which provides cargo services for South African Airlink; the international ground handling division providing services for three airlines; and the specialised clearing and forwarding division for their own airline’s spares shipments.

2011
In December 2011, the Airports Company SA (ACSA) presents four Feather Awards to Airlink in recognition of consistent service excellence at ACSA airports. ACSA presents six Feather Awards to Airlink in recognition of consistent service excellence at ACSA airports in December 2012.

2012
In June 2012, a 32.51% stake of the company changed hands in a landmark broad-based black economic empowerment transaction. The new investor is the Sishen Iron Ore Company Community Development Trust ('SIOC-cdt'), which made the acquisition through its investment arm, Sishen Iron Ore Company Community Development Trust Investment Holdings.

2013
11 June 2013, Airlink celebrates 21 years in the aviation industry. Today, Airlink has a turnover of more than two billion Rand, employs about 1,000 staff, and carries one million-plus customers annually.

2014
02 June 2014, Airlink launched the return of scheduled air services between Cape Town and Johannesburg to Skukuza Airport, this was momentous in the context of South African tourism as this has allowed all tourism stakeholders and tourists the ability to gain direct access to a variety of important and globally renowned wildlife destinations within the Kruger Park and nearby Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, thereby providing a far more integrated and effective leisure travel product to the global market. The airport is managed by the Skukuza Airport Management Company, in conjunction with SANParks, in terms of a 10 year Public Private Partnership agreement.

2015
16 August 2015, Airlink becomes the first domestic airline (it’s still the only non-charter option for that route) to offer scheduled flights between Cape Town and the then recently refurbished Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria.

2016
Airlink signed an agreement with the government of Madagascar. Working with a partner there to amend air services licenses, establish Air Operating Certificates, and all the rest, and that service will be running in Madagascar as an extension of the Airlink business – hopefully from later this year onwards.

2017
11 June 2017, Airlink celebrates its 25th anniversary under the same leadership and the 50th anniversary of one of our roots Lowveld Air Services started in 1967. Today, Airlink has 46 aircraft, a turnover of more than three billion Rand, and employs approximately 1,350 staff.

In December 2017, the Airports Company SA (ACSA) presented Feather Awards to Airlink in recognition of Best Performing Regional Airline and Best Performing Domestic Airline.
 
2018
In December 2018, the Airports Company SA (ACSA) presented a Feather Award to Airlink in recognition of Best Performing Regional Airline.
 
 

• Airlink operates as a Regional Feeder Airline System which is a component of a large composite Network Airline Transportation System that includes the component systems of South African Airways and South African Express Airways. The interrelationship of the component airlines is styled the "Alliance".
• Airlink operates as a franchisee of South African Airways using its own visible brand intellectual property.
• We are committed to the optimisation of regional air transportation by providing exceptional quality service to all our passengers.
• We are committed to providing seamless interline connections with our partner flights around the world, in particular, linking smaller communities to the major hubs of commerce and industry.
• Punctuality is our most important service delivery criteria.
• To realise our vision of an extensive network spanning many regional capitals, smaller communities and major cities, we will work together with our alliance partners.
• We are driven by the needs and feelings of our passengers and will keep on refining our service to their satisfaction.
• We will set benchmarks in safety, on-time performance and reliability through professionalism and enhanced productivity.
• We never lose sight of the importance of our profitability and will do what needs to be done to optimise viability and create wealth for all our stakeholders.
• We are determined to remain South Africa´s leading Regional Feeder Airline. We aspire to being a role model to the industry.

• Privately owned
• Financially independent and not reliant on State Subvention for subsistence.
• +55 routes
• Airlink will never cancel a flight
• +50 aircraft in the fleet, ability to swop aircraft to recover schedule in the event of a delay.
• 1.9 m customers per year
• 60 000 scheduled flights per annum
• Level4 BBBEE 
• Punctuality at 95% consistently 
• Widest network and choice of flights
• Airlink offers an intra-continental styled business class on select routes and flights
• Look before you book – Airlink flight codes start with SA8
• Obtained its 5th consecutive IOSA certificate, after successful audits from 2012
• PLUS, the 8 reasons to love the link (Let’s Communicate on the Agent Helpline on 011 451 7350)

   

   

  1. More Destin8ions
  2. Seldom L8
  3. Gr8 Service
  4. +27 years str8
  5. The Airline that carries its own w8
  6. Airlink tells you str8
  7. Airlink is your teamm8
  8. Committed to being first R8

Our Investors and Owners
We are privately owned, financially independent and not reliant on State Subvention for subsistence. This includes our 350,000 previously disadvantaged families from the Sishen, Sishen South and Thabazimbi areas. 

Financial Hygiene
Airlink has been consistently and responsibly profitable during it's 27 years of operations.  

Our Network and destinations – Southern Africa’s largest
Airlink is the largest regional feeder airline in our sub region, operating an extensive network of more than 55 routes which in addition to 19 South African cities and towns includes services to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Lesotho and Swaziland as well as to the remote island of St Helena in the South Atlantic. We have 1.9 million customers and 60 000 scheduled flights per annum. Airlink proudly has the widest network and choice of flights and offers an intra-continental styled business class on select routes and flights

Aircraft fleet and maintenance 
Airlink has a fleet of 60 aircraft, 80% of which are regional jet airliners. Having this amount of aircraft means that we are able to swap aircraft to recover schedule in the event of a delay. Our fleet of aircraft are supported and maintained by a dedicated team of 400 aircraft engineers and specialists located at various key nodes within South Africa including 3 hangar complexes at OR Tambo International airport. 

Our aircrews
Airlink employs a team of 450 flight deck and cabin crews, of whom 250 are proudly female. They are trained in Airlink’s own state of the art Flight Training Centre located in Bonaero Park, Johannesburg. The complex includes 3 aircraft simulators, cabin trainers and other procedural aids and classrooms providing the opportunity for comprehensive training from early ab initio crews starting their careers in flying to bi-annual recurrent/refresher training as well as type training as a part of career progression.
 
Airlink flights are rarely late and never cancelled 
We understand that our customer’s most important criteria for choosing Airlink over other operators is punctuality. Year to date in 2019 Airlink has consistently ranked as one of the two top airlines for on-time operation in South Africa’s skies. For the year Jan 2019 – August 2019 – more than 92% of Airlink’s flights have departed on-time (an independent measure applied by ACSA - the Airports Company of South Africa). Airlink also knows that to cancel a flight without there being very sound reasons, outside of the airline’s direct control to do so, is extremely distressing to our customers because of the disruption it causes to their travel plans.

Safety, Reliability and Quality
Airlink is a member of IATA (International Air Transport Association) and is IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit program) accredited. We obtained our 5th consecutive IOSA certificate after successful audits from 2012

BBBEE 
 We are certified level 4 BBBEE. You can view our BBBEE certificate here

Airlink, Africa’s largest privately-owned airline, will operate under its own “4Z” flight code on services operated with effect from 11 June 2020. This decision represents an important milestone in extending the commercial reach of the airline in its own right. 

Selling seats on flights under the “4Z” flight code will enable Airlink to develop more routes and frequencies on an independent basis, as well as extend opportunities to establish new agreements with leading international airlines. 

Airlink and South African Airways (SAA) have redefined their partnership by replacing their franchise agreement with a new commercial arrangement from 11 June 2020. 

Where in terms of the franchise, flights operated by Airlink carry the “SA8” flight designator, under the new commercial arrangement, they will operate as Airlink’s unique “4Z” code. The new agreement will enable a seamless transition with minimum inconvenience to customers.

The change marks a new era in the long-standing commercial agreement with SAA. While SAA remains an important strategic pillar in Airlink’s strategy, the new arrangement gives Airlink the freedom to extend its commercial reach, develop more routes and frequencies on an independent basis and extend or establish additional agreements with other leading international airlines.

From 11 June 2020, all Airlink flights will operate using the “4Z” designator and from today, all tickets for those flights will be available through travel agents, tour operators and online at www.flyairlink.com. Tickets already issued for travel on flights with “SA8” flight numbers from 11th June 2020 will remain valid for travel subject to re-accommodation by Airlink.  

Customers holding SAA 083 tickets for flights after 10th June, who do not want to be re-accommodated, may apply to SAA for a refund or through other channels, such as the credit card issuer used for payment or insurance.  SAA refunds will be managed in line with its Business Rescue policies. 

“Marketing and selling flights under our own 4Z code is an exciting development for Airlink as we propagate our business and take advantage of new market opportunities.  At the same time, we will be able to strengthen our vital partnership with SAA,” said Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.

“We sincerely regret any short term inconvenience these changes may cause for our customers.  This represents the best way to ensure we continue serving all our passengers in a seamless manner, whilst also securing the best interests of Airlink, its customers, employees, suppliers and shareholders for the future,” added Mr Foster.

“While we  intend working with SAA’s business rescue practicitioners to find a solution that enables SAA to continue playing its important role in the Southern African market, we have a  responsibility to take action to preserve Airlink’s viability as a financially-robust, independent and privately-owned airline. However, should SAA’s circumstance worsen, then Airlink will activate the transition sooner – immediately, if necessary,” he said.

What the changes mean for ticket holders

To operate independently, Airlink is obliged to switch from using the “SA8” flight code and “083” ticketing code to its unique “4Z” prefix.  

This transition has been implemented and is effective as from 11 June 2020 when all Airlink inventory and flights will have the “4Z” designator.  

Tickets already in issue for travel on flights with “SA8” flight numbers will remain valid for travel subject to being re-accommodated.   Airlink will work with travel agents, tour operators and customers to expedite the re-accommodation.

Customers holding SAA 083 tickets for flights after 10th June, who prefer not to be re-accommodated, may seek a refund through SAA, which will manage it in line with its business rescue policies.  Depending on how customers purchased their ticket, they may also be able to pursue other available refund avenues e.g. credit card companies or insurance.

In the meantime, Airlink will continue to sell tickets for flights operated on the SA8 code up to 10 June 2020.  These are available through travel agents, tour operators, on both the www.flyairlink.com, and www.flysaa.com as well as all other online booking platforms. 

About Airlink

Airlink is a privately-owned, BBBEE Level 4 business and regional feeder airline headquartered in Johannesburg.  It has the largest fleet of commercial jetliners in Southern Africa, which operate on 55 routes to 39 destinations in nine African countries.  Last year Airlink carried almost 2 million passengers on more than 63,000 flights, reliably, and on time (92.9% of Airlink’s flights were on time over the past year).