Emirates and Airlink sign codeshare agreement

Expanded partnership comes as Emirates resumes flights to South Africa

Emirates has signed a codeshare agreement with South African carrier Airlink, providing easy access to more than 40 destinations across 12 African countries.

Among other benefits, the UAE carrier said the deal would offer passengers competitive fares, combined ticketing and baggage transfers when connecting between the two airlines.

Emirates said passengers travelling to South Africa could now transfer in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to flights to domestic destinations such as Bloemfontein, George, Upington, Nelspruit, Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Skukuza, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Sishen, Mthatha and Port Elizabeth.

They will also be able to visit destinations served by Airlink across southern Africa including Gaborone, Kasane, Vilanculos, Lubumbashi, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Maseru, Antananarivo, Pemba, Tete, Maun, Victoria Falls, Walvis Bay, Maputo, Windhoek, Harare, Lusaka, Ndola, Bulawayo and Livingstone.

FOR MORE NEWS YOU CAN USE, SIGN UP FOR CONNECTING TRAVEL’S WEEKLY BULLETIN

Emirates chief commercial officer Adnan Kazim said: “The expansion of the Emirates/Airlink partnership marks an important step forward in our relationship. Our new codeshare agreement enhances our service offering and flexibility for customers travelling beyond our gateways in South and southern Africa and provides them with unparalleled options for leisure destinations.

“We are committed to growing our operations in South Africa, and with the strong connection opportunities being provided collectively with Airlink we hope to help jump-start the recovery of the local travel and tourism industry.”

Airlink CEO and managing director Rodger Foster added: “This exciting development is an overwhelming endorsement of Airlink. We are delighted, honoured and privileged that Emirates Airline has chosen Airlink as its southern Africa partner.

“Emirates serves all of our source markets and together we are able to provide vital air access across Airlink’s comprehensive network of destinations in southern Africa, providing much-needed connectivity and linking Africa with the world and the world with Africa.”

For more information, visit emirates.com