Qatar Airways Group has taken a significant step in its African expansion by acquiring a 25 percent stake in Airlink, a leading independent regional airline in Southern Africa. This strategic investment, announced by Qatar Airways Group CEO, Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, enhances Qatar Airways’ access to Airlink’s extensive network, connecting regional cities across southern and eastern Africa.

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Badr Mohammed Al Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways.

Eng. Al Meer highlighted that this partnership reflects Qatar Airways’ commitment to Africa’s economic growth and its confidence in Airlink’s resilience and financial strength. He emphasized that the investment aligns with Qatar Airways’ vision of unlocking Africa’s vast potential.

Airlink CEO, Rodger Foster, welcomed the investment, viewing it as a strong endorsement of Airlink’s market presence and future expansion plans. He noted that the partnership will bring growth through increased capacity, greater marketing reach, and enhanced efficiencies of scale.

The investment will strengthen the existing code-sharing agreement between the two airlines, allowing Qatar Airways to utilize Airlink’s network, which spans over 45 destinations across 15 African countries. This strategic move solidifies Qatar Airways’ role as a key player in Africa’s economic development.

Qatar Airways already serves 29 African destinations, with recent additions including Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt. The resumption of flights to Cairo and Alexandria further demonstrates the airline’s commitment to expanding its presence on the continent.