Qatar Airways Expands African Reach with 25% Stake in Airlink

4 months ago Editor

Qatar Airways is expanding its presence in Africa by acquiring a 25% stake in South African airline Airlink, enhancing its network and tapping into the continent’s growing travel market.

Qatar Airways is set to acquire a 25% stake in the South African regional airline, Airlink, marking a significant expansion of its influence in the African aviation market. This strategic investment aligns with Qatar Airways’ broader goal of enhancing its network and tapping into the growing demand for air travel across the continent.

The acquisition, announced by Qatar Airways’ Group CEO Badr Al Meer during a press conference in Doha, reflects the airline’s commitment to unlocking the vast business and tourism potential in Africa. Airlink, known for its robust financial health and extensive connectivity across Southern Africa, has been identified as a key partner in this endeavor.

While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, regulatory approval is in progress. Both airlines’ commercial operations teams are collaborating on a joint strategy to maximize the benefits of this partnership.

This investment is the latest in Qatar Airways’ portfolio of strategic stakes in global airlines. The Doha-based carrier already holds minority shares in British Airways’ parent company International Airlines Group (IAG), Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, and Latam Airlines Group. Qatar Airways also has a significant presence in East Africa, with a 49% stake in RwandAir and a 60% share in the new Bugesera International Airport in Rwanda.

Qatar Airways currently operates flights to 29 destinations across Africa, including key cities such as Cairo, Lagos, and Johannesburg. The partnership with Airlink, which serves over 45 destinations in 15 African countries, will further enhance its reach on the continent.

Airlink’s CEO, Rodger Foster, welcomed the investment, emphasizing that Qatar Airways’ involvement would unlock growth opportunities, increase capacity, and expand the airline’s marketing reach. This move is expected to bolster Airlink’s existing partnerships, including its codeshare agreement with Emirates.

Africa, home to approximately 1.4 billion people, remains an underserved market in the global aviation industry, carrying only 2% of the world’s air traffic. However, demand is on the rise, with African airlines reporting a 16.9% year-on-year increase in June, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). As Qatar Airways deepens its engagement in Africa, it positions itself to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation on the continent.