British Airways and Airlink have joined together to improve flight connectivity in South Africa

Airlink, a domestic airline, has announced a new codeshare arrangement with British Airways, which would improve air travel between the UK, Europe, North America, and more than 15 Southern African locations.

Travelers travelling from Cape Town or Johannesburg, or transiting through London (or vice versa), will be able to connect to their destination on a single ticket thanks to the new arrangement between the two firms.

According to Airlink, this will provide greater option and flexibility for customers travelling from one of 18 towns and cities, including Windhoek in Namibia and Durban in South Africa.

Airlink is a large regional airline with hubs in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban in South Africa. It serves cities in fourteen countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia.

Domestic flight capacity in South Africa was decreased by 40% following the collapse of Comair, among other carriers, last year. Airlink is one of the country’s principal remaining domestic air transit providers.

According to Airlink, the new move should boost tourism between the UK and Southern Africa while also tapping into other British Airways markets via London. Airlink flies twice daily between Johannesburg and London Heathrow with A380 aircraft, twice daily between Cape Town and London Heathrow with B777 and A350 aircraft, and three times per week between Cape Town and London  Gatwick with B777 aircraft.

British Airways’ director of network and alliances, Neil Chernoff, stated that the airline’s flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg were as popular as ever.

“We are pleased to open more options in the Southern African region. Our partnership with Airlink means that customers will be able to book a full journey on one ticket, allowing seamless travel all the way from London to their final destination,” said Chernoff.

Rodger Foster, CEO and Managing Director of Airlink, stated that the deal represents a key next step in the company’s cooperation with British Airways, which has a huge worldwide reach into the most vital markets.

“The marriage of our two networks will benefit both British Airways’ and Airlink’s customers, giving them even more choices with a wide range of itinerary options and connectivity possibilities.”

When flying from Heathrow to Johannesburg or Cape Town, 18 destinations are available as codeshare possibilities. Here are several examples:

• London Heathrow to Durban via Johannesburg
• London Heathrow to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, via Cape Town or Johannesburg
• London Heathrow to Skukuza, South Africa, via Cape Town or Johannesburg
• London Heathrow to Windhoek, Namibia via Cape Town or Johannesburg
• London Heathrow to Walvis Bay, Namibia, via Cape Town or Johannesburg

Other Southern African locations are awaiting government permission and may join the codeshare arrangement later, according to the consortium.