Emirates and South African regional carrier Airlink announced today that they had signed a new interline agreement. This will allow travelers from Dubai to Cape Town and Johannesburg to continue onwards to 45 destinations across the Southern African region.
Enhanced connectivity throughout the region
On Tuesday, UAE flag carrier Emirates and regional South African airline Airlink announced a new interline agreement. This will allow travelers from Dubai to Johannesburg and Cape Town to connect onwards to 20 destinations, such as Bloemfontein, George, Upington, Nelspruit, Hoedspruit, and Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
It will also open up 25 more across the Southern African region as a whole, such as Gaborone, Kasane, Vilanculos, Maun, Victoria Falls, Maputo, Windhoek, Harare, Lusaka, Ndola, Bulawayo, and Livingstone, through Airlink’s international network.
“Emirates is pleased to partner with Airlink on a new interline agreement that will help us strengthen our presence and give customers more choice, flexibility, and enhanced connections across 45 cities in Southern Africa,” Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airlines, commented on the new agreement in a statement seen by Simple Flying.
Emirates and Airlink announce interline agreement, enhancing Emirates’ connectivity to 45 cities in Southern Africa. https://t.co/qIAHULGVKo#FlyEmiratesFlyBetter @Fly_Airlink pic.twitter.com/m6xWshPov1
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) October 20, 2020
“The interline agreement that has gone into effect with Airlink is only the start of further collaboration, and we are looking forward to exploring more opportunities to widen the scope of our partnership in the future,” Sir Clark continued.
Airlink is proud and excited
Emirates’ new partner, Airlink, a regional South African carrier that has been flying since 1992, also expressed enthusiasm over the collaboration.
“We are proud and excited about our new interline commercial agreement with Emirates. We have a deep respect for the airline, its values, and its global reach. We are confident that the relationship will deliver enhanced travel options to customers given the designed interconnectivity that will be enabled at OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport,” Mr Roger Foster, Airlink CEO, said of the new deal.
Airlink flies to over 45 destinations across South Africa and the South African region. It operates a fleet of 47 planes, including a few British Aerospace, but mostly consisting of Embraers E-135s and ERJ-190s.
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Back in SA since October 1st
Emirates recommenced its South African operations when the country opened up to international air traffic on October 1st with flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town. Services to Durban followed on October 8th. At the time of writing, anyone wishing to enter South Africa must provide a negative PCR-test no older than 72 hours at the time of departure.
If any person arriving is displaying symptoms, they will be required to take another test. Should it come back positive, they must quarantine for ten days at a designated facility at their own expense.
Leisure travel from countries deemed high-risk (currently a list of 22 countries, including India, the UK, the Netherlands, USA, Iran, and Mexico) is entirely prohibited. Business travelers from these locations may apply for a special permit with the South African Ministery of Home Affairs.
What do you think of the new agreement between Emirates and Airlink? Let us know in the comments.