By Victor Shalton
Airlink Launches Daily Nairobi Flights, Becomes First Private Sector Airline to Compete on Route
Airlink, Southern Africa’s leading airline, has announced the launch of a new daily flight service from Johannesburg to Nairobi, becoming the first private sector airline to compete on this route.
Airlink’s entry into the South Africa-Kenya market will offer more options and increased competition, benefitting travellers by potentially leading to more affordable fares and improved services. This move also signifies the efforts of both South Africa and Kenya to strengthen bilateral ties and promote tourism and trade between the two countries.
The new service is expected to provide greater choices for business and leisure travellers flying between the two major regional markets. Airlink’s connectivity through its Johannesburg hub will allow travellers to easily connect to various destinations within South Africa, Southern Africa, and around the world through its partner carriers.
Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster, said, “Our competitive and convenient flights will promote tourism in both markets by letting travellers take advantage of the visa-free requirements for Kenyans visiting South Africa and South Africans wanting to visit Kenya.”
With the addition of Kenya to Airlink’s comprehensive sub-Saharan route network, Kenya becomes the 15th country and the third in East Africa to be served by the airline, alongside Dar es Salaam and Entebbe. The flights on the Johannesburg-Nairobi route will operate daily, departing Johannesburg at 09.40 and arriving in Nairobi at 14.45 with flight number 4Z 070. The return flight, 4Z 071, will depart Nairobi at 15.45 and arrive in Johannesburg at 19.05. Airlink will operate 98-seat Embraer E190 jetliners on the new service.
In related news, TrueNoord has welcomed Airlink as a new lessee, with the novation of two YoM 2008 Embraer E190AR aircraft on long-term operating lease. These assets are part of TrueNoord’s recent portfolio acquisition of 10 aircraft from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), which brings new lessee airlines from the United States and Canada, as well as Airlink from South Africa, into the business. The aircraft are based in Cape Town and Johannesburg, flying domestic routes across South Africa and to international destinations within Southern Africa.
Maarten Grift, Sales Manager – Africa, Middle East and CIS at TrueNoord, comments, “Airlink has been connecting Africa for over 30 years. Operating the Continent’s largest fleet of Embraer aircraft, they continue to expand their route network to new destinations spanning regional capitals, smaller communities and major cities.”
Airlink’s CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster, said, “TrueNoord is a highly knowledgeable and experienced lessor with solid financial backing. We are very pleased to have them as a new business partner as we continue on our journey as South Africa’s leading regional airline. We are committed to optimising regional air transportation by providing exceptional quality service to all our customers and setting benchmarks in safety, on-time performance and reliability.”
Victor Shalton’s love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.
