Qatar Airways Purchases Airlink

Qatar Airways has acquired a 25% stake in Airlink, which is a South African based private airline. The investment in Airlink will enhance the existing code-share partnership between the two airlines. 

Qatar Airways’ has had its sights on growing its African presence for a while now as it aims to become a major player in the regions aviation sector. 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.”

Airlink Chief Executive Rodger Foster said: “Having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and echoes our faith in the markets we currently serve and plan to add to our network. 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.”

In 2019, Qatar Airways took a 60% stake in a new $1.3 billion international airport being built in Rwanda and from 2020 they have added 10 destinations including Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Alexandria, Cairo, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt. In terms of competition, Qatar Airways faces off against Dubai based Emirates, Turkish based Turkish Airways, as well as Ethiopian Airlines.