Qatar Airways Expands African Reach with 25% Stake in Airlink

Qatar Airways, in a significant move to expand its operations in Africa, has announced the acquisition of a 25% stake in South Africa’s regional carrier, Airlink. This strategic investment by the state-owned airline was officially agreed upon on Tuesday, signaling a mutual desire to enhance connectivity and passenger reach across the African continent.

The announcement came during a joint press briefing in Doha with Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer and Airlink’s CEO Rodger Foster. Al Meer underlined the importance of this partnership in granting Qatar Airways enhanced access to regional locations within Africa, tapping into a market with enormous growth potential.

For privately owned Airlink, which currently serves more than 45 destinations across 15 African countries, this deal signifies an opportunity for expansion within the continent's soaring aviation market. CEO Rodger Foster highlighted the prospects of enlarging their fleet, empowering Airlink to operate larger aircraft and increase its operational scale without diluting its African focus.

Despite not revealing the financial terms of the investment, Al Meer mentioned that the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals. This move is in line with Qatar Airways' broader strategy, as the airline boasts stakes in several notable international carriers and has shown a keen interest in strengthening its presence in Africa. The airline’s investment portfolio includes ownership stakes in International Airlines Group, LatAm Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, and China Southern Airlines.

Furthermore, Qatar Airways has been actively engaging in discussions about acquiring a minority stake in Rwanda's RwandAir and has a standing agreement with the Rwandan government over a majority stake in the country's new international airport, set to expand its operational footprint in the region. Rodger Foster suggested future collaborations between Airlink and RwandAir, contemplating the possibility of rationalizing overlapping services, potentially leading to code share or interline agreements.

Both Airlink and Qatar Airways maintain a current code share agreement, which allows them to market and sell seats on each other's flights, enhancing their competitive edge. This agreement reflects the existing partnerships each of the airlines has fostered over the years, including Airlink's similar arrangement with Emirates, a direct competitor of Qatar Airways.

This investment holds promise for both Qatar Airways and Airlink, merging strategic interests to navigate the African airspace with a stronger alliance. It also underlines the Middle Eastern carrier's assertive approach to linking with African regional airlines, aiming to cast a wider net of destinations and passenger options across the diverse continent.