In what will be great news for people living in South Africa, the continent of Africa’s biggest airline has said that it has signed an interline agreement with Johannesburg-based Airlink. In a statement issued on October 14, 2021, Ethiopian Airlines says that its contract with Airlink will allow passengers seamless travel on a single ticket on any of the two carrier’s networks.
With the interline agreement now in place between Ethiopian Airlines and Airlink, passengers in South Africa can easily book their itineraries on both airlines. Based at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), Ethiopian Airlines is the world’s 4th largest airline by the number of countries served. Airlink, meanwhile, is the second-largest carrier within Africa by the number of flights and third-largest by the number of seats.
South Africa is a significant market for Ethiopian Airlines
When speaking about the new interline agreement in a company statement CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, said:
“In our continuous commitment and endeavor to expand our service beyond our extensive network in Africa, we are happy to enhance our cooperation and add Airlink to our list of growing partners in Africa.” he added, “As South Africa represents the continent’s largest market and with the significant changes in the region’s industry players, implementation of this interline agreement will create ease of access to those traveling to/from South African regional airports and Ethiopian destinations across five continents.”
In a move designed to expand its accessibility to customers, Ethiopian Airlines has been implementing various partnership agreements with African and global carriers. The new interline agreement with Airlink, in particular, will open up opportunities for Airlink customers to seamlessly use Ethiopian Airlines to connect to other destinations in Africa and the world.
Both Ethiopian Airlines and Airlink will handle each other’s customer’s check-in and baggage for all flights with either airline.
O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)-based Airlink provides services between smaller, under-served towns in southern Africa. With the new agreement, customers in South Africa can benefit from 60 destinations served by Ethiopian Airlines
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Airlink to resume flights between Johannesburg and George
In other Airlink-related news, in a statement released on October 15, 2021, the airline said that as South Africa enters its summer, Airlink is bringing back flights between Johannesburg and George starting November 01, 2021. Located in South Africa’s Western Cape on a coastal stretch known as the Garden Route, George is a popular summer destination for tourists and golfers.
When speaking about reintroducing flights to George Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster, said:
“With the new lenient local travel and hospitality restrictions and with South Africa now back on the destination list for international travelers, the Garden Route is set to retake its place as a jewel in the region’s tourism crown. This time we’re committed to staying – we see George as an intrinsic element of our comprehensive network and a “keeper” in our long-term strategy.”
Given Ethiopian Airlines’ network on the African continent and beyond, the new interline agreement will be a big plus for Airlink as it continues to expand its operations.
What do you think about the new interline agreement between Ethiopian Airlines and Airlink? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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