Airlink, Southern Africa's premier airline, is spreading its wings with a new daily Johannesburg-Nairobi service, which will see it become the first private sector airline to offer flights on the route from 24 April 2023.
Airlink will provide much-needed competition and additional choices for business and leisure travellers. Kenya becomes the 15th country in Airlink's comprehensive sub-Saharan route network and its third in East Africa.
The service will be operated with Airlink's comfortable and efficient state-of-the-art 98-seat Embraer E190 jetliners.
"Airlink's entry on the route supports last November's agreement by Kenya and South Africa to eliminate trade barriers and strengthen commerce and economic ties by opening-up business and cooperation between the two major economies in key sectors and markets. It also follows South Africa's removal of visa requirements for Kenyans visiting South Africa for up to 90 days (South Africans do not require visas to visit Kenya)," Airlink's CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.
"This is also an important moment for Eastern - Southern Africa connectivity. With Airlink's network now including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and most of the Southern Africa Development Community nations, we offer travellers the widest set of choices and convenient regional and inter-continental connections on our own aircraft and with our global carrier partners. These enable the businesses and economies Airlink serves to expand their own respective market reach. Similarly, our competitive services will promote tourism in both markets, generating additional foreign travel spend," added Mr Foster.
Flights on the route will operate daily at these times:
4Z 070 departs Johannesburg 09.40, arrives Nairobi 14.45
4Z 071 departs Nairobi 15.45, arrives Johannesburg 19.05
Customers wanting to travel on these Airlink routes can book and manage their trips on flyairlink.com, Airlink's smartphone app or through travel agents.
Onboard
Airlink's premium Business Class and great value Economy Class services will be available on the route.
Airlink's intra-continental Business Class service on our state-of-the-art Embraer E-jets features wide seats arranged in a two plus one abreast configuration with plenty of legroom between each row. Our service on these flights includes complimentary meals and beverages, a 30kg check-in luggage allowance and priority boarding.
Airlink's Economy Class fares include a 20kg free economy class checked in luggage allowance plus a 15kg sporting equipment allowance. Onboard, our customers are treated to a complimentary light meal, refreshments, generous leg room and a choice of aisle or window seat (our flights do not have middle seats).
About Airlink
Airlink was established in 1992 and is Southern Africa's premier privately-owned, regional airline. Airlink serves these cities and other destinations throughout Southern Africa as well as Madagascar and St Helena Island. In addition, Airlink has a franchise arrangement with FlyNamibia and offers worldwide connections through its 29 interline and four codeshare partners with many trusted and well-known inter-continental brands.
In addition, Airlink has launched its innovative "Skybucks" frequent flyer rewards programme.
Airlink has consistently been South Africa's most on-time airline over the last two years, with its fleet of more than 60 modern jetliners achieving a 95.73% average on-time performance so far this year*.
Airlink is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) member and accredited under its safety audit programme.