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Leadership Transition at Airlink: CEO Rodger Foster to Step Down in 2025

Published November 30, 2024
2 months ago

After more than three decades of leading one of South Africa's prominent airlines, Rodger Foster, CEO and Managing Director of Airlink, will step down at the end of March 2025. This announcement marks a significant shift in leadership for the independently-owned carrier, which has been under Foster's guidance since its inception in June 1992. The transition comes at a time when the airline has solidified its position as a key player in the regional aviation market.





Under Foster's leadership, Airlink was founded amidst the deregulation of South Africa's domestic airline industry, which allowed private airlines to compete with national carriers. This period was critical as it coincided with South Africa's broader socio-economic integration into the global marketplace following the end of apartheid. Foster has been pivotal in steering the airline through various industry challenges, including the recent global pandemic and the separation from South African Airways (SAA) during its business rescue phase.


The designated successor, de Villiers Engelbrecht, Airlink's current Chief Financial Officer, will assume the CEO role starting April 1, 2025. Engelbrecht, who has been with Airlink for over two decades, served as a non-executive director before joining the executive team in February 2011. His extensive experience within the company and the industry prepares him well to guide Airlink into its future chapters.


Engelbrecht's immediate challenges will include maintaining the growth trajectory set by Foster, especially following the strategic equity partnership with Qatar Airways in August 2024, which saw the airline giant taking a 25 percent stake in Airlink. This partnership underscores the strength and potential of Airlink within the global aviation arena and is expected to bolster the airline’s regional and international footprint.


Airlink's resilience and strategic operations have been noticeable, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline was the first in South Africa to resume domestic flights after lockdowns eased in June 2020, seizing the opportunity to expand its network by adding previously unoperated routes like Johannesburg-Cape Town and Johannesburg-Durban.


Today, Airlink boasts a robust fleet of over 65 modern Embraer aircraft, serving 50 destinations across 15 countries, including under-served markets like St. Helena. The previous financial year showed a strong record of service, with over 4 million passengers flying on more than 85,000 Airlink flights, pointing to a successful operational strategy during a period of recovery and growth for the industry.


As Foster prepares to pass the baton to Engelbrecht, his legacy at Airlink remains evident in the airline's competitive positioning and robust partnerships. His continued involvement as a shareholder and non-executive director assures that his expertise will not be lost to the airline.


Looking ahead, the leadership transition at Airlink symbolizes a new era for the airline, poised for further expansion and innovation in the aviation sector.


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