Airlink Expands Summer and Christmas Schedule with more flights plus new routes

Airlink, is expanding its schedule for the Southern African summer season.

The independent and privately owned regional airline, Airlink is adding new routes, increasing frequencies on several services, and introducing its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft and Business Class product to more customers.

 The changes, set to be introduced between October and December 2026, will give customers more convenient flight options during the region’s peak leisure, holiday and family travel season.

 “Whether people are travelling to spend time with their loved ones, heading off on holiday or working throughout the season, we want to give our customers more choice and a better experience, wherever they are going and whatever takes them there,” said the Airlink Chief Executive Officer, de Villiers Engelbrecht.

From October 2026, Airlink will add its new E195-E2 Business Class offering to its twice-weekly Johannesburg (JNB)-Zanzibar (ZNZ) service.

This will increase to three flights a week for the December Christmas peak using an additional Embraer E190.

Airlink’s new E195-E2 aircraft feature a first-of-its-kind staggered seating layout in the premium cabin, offering a quieter, more spacious and private experience. Airlink will also deploy an E2 aircraft on its daily Johannesburg (JNB)-Nairobi (NBO) flights from October.

November 2026 will see the launch of Airlink’s Johannesburg Lanseria (HLA)-Harare (HRE), Zimbabwe service.

Operating three times a week using an E190, the route will give travelers from the northern and north-western suburbs of Johannesburg, the West Rand, parts of Pretoria and the North West province a convenient alternative to travelling through Oliver R. Tambo International Airport.

From December 2026, other changes include a new daily return service between Johannesburg Oliver R. Tambo International and George (GRJ), with Nosy Be (NOS) on Madagascar Island receiving an additional flight for the peak summer travel season.

From Cape Town (CPT) city, Airlink will increase its Harare (HRE) service with three weekly flights and will add two additional weekend return services to George (GRJ), complementing its broad network of existing routes to and from the Garden Route.

Across all Airlink flights, passengers enjoy a choice of either aisle or window seats in either a one- or two-by-two configuration – there are no middle seats on Airlink’s aircraft.

The operator says customers also benefit from generous legroom, large eye-level windows, ample overhead storage and complimentary meals and beverages, while all passengers receive a 15-kilogram sporting equipment allowance in addition to their standard checked baggage allowance.

According to the airline, discounted Economy Class fares include a 20-kilogram allowance, while full-fare Economy and Business Class travelers receive 30 kilograms.

 Airlink was established in 1992 and is Southern Africa’s premier, privately-owned regional airline.

Its fleet of 74 modern Embraer jet aircraft serves these cities and other destinations throughout Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean and St Helena Island.

Airlink offers worldwide connections through its global partners, which include many trusted and well-known inter-continental brands, and its FlyNamibia franchise.