Qatar Airways Group has acquired a 25 per cent stake in South African regional carrier, Airlink. The acquisition is, the Group says, a “continuation of [its] ambition to further develop its operations across the African continent.” 

The investment will enhance the already existing code-share partnership between the two airlines, which it formalised in June 2022. It will also bolster Qatar’s growth strategy in Africa.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business’ future. This partnership not only demonstrates our confidence in Airlink, as a company that is resilient, agile, financially robust and governed on sound principles, but also in Africa as a whole, showing huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising.”

Qatar currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa, and has seen a growing presence in the continent with new destinations added since December 2020.

Airlink Chief Executive, Rodger Foster, added: “This transaction will unlock growth by providing efficiencies of scale, increasing our capacity and expanding our marketing reach. By bolstering Airlink and its business, this investment will strengthen all of the existing airline partnerships Airlink has nurtured over the years.”