Qatar Airways acquires 25% stake in South African carrier Airlink

Image credit: Waldo Swiegers/ Getty Images

Qatar Airways has acquired a 25 per cent stake in South Africa-based regional carrier Airlink as part of the flag carrier’s broader strategy to expand its operations across the African continent.

The Doha-based airline said the investment in privately-owned Airlink would enhance an existing code-share partnership between the two airlines and bolster its Africa growth strategy. The deal is also expected to increase Airlink’s capacity and expand the airline’s marketing reach.

“Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business’ future,” said Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways’ group CEO.

“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 the huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising.”

Airlink flies to more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries, while Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa.

BREAKING NEWS – Qatar Airways invests in Airlink.

The Qatar Airways Group has acquired a 25% stake in Southern Africa’s premier independent regional carrier, Airlink. The investment further cements Qatar Airways’ position as a key driver in realising economic and business… pic.twitter.com/QaKRkcHetq

— Airlink (@Fly_Airlink) August 20, 2024

State-owned Qatar Airways’ investment in the regional airline is aimed at aligning both carriers’ loyalty programs – Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Airlink Skybucks.

“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,” Airlink chief executive Rodger Foster added.

The financial details of the investment were disclosed. The aviation giant is the biggest shareholder in British Airways owner International Airlines Group and owns around 10 per cent of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific and Latam Airlines Group.

The carrier is in talks to acquire about 20 per cent of Virgin Australia Airlines, Bloomberg reported in June.

The airline is also in talks to acquire a minority stake in RwandAir and in 2019 agreed with Rwanda’s government to take a majority stake in a new international airport in Rwanda.

Qatar Airways’ full-year profit jumped by 39 per cent to $1.7bn (QAR6.1bn) in 2023/24, driven by robust demand for international travel, while its revenues rose by 6 per cent or QAR4.7bn to a record QAR81bn.

Read: Qatar Airways posts $1.7bn in full-year profit on robust travel demand