Two major European airlines have formed an agreement with the South African regional carrier Airlink, creating new travel opportunities for both local and international tourists.
The two airlines in question are Air France and KLM, which are the national flag carriers for France and the Netherlands, respectively.
What you need to know
Air France-KLM announced this week that it has formed a codeshare agreement with Airlink, whose flights bear the designation 4Z.
This agreement came into effect on 3 December 2024 and is intended to enhance connectivity for passengers on Air France and KLM flights travelling across southern Africa.
The European flight services currently operate up to 14 flights per week to both Cape Town International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, which operate between Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.
With this new codeshare agreement, the two airlines now have access to 14 domestic Airlink routes across South Africa.
A benefit of this arrangement is that anyone who is a member of Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue Loyalty programme will now be able to earn miles on marketed flights operated by Airlink.
“This codeshare agreement is a significant milestone for Air France-KLM in Southern Africa. It reflects our commitment to offering seamless travel experiences and expanding our reach to connect customers to key destinations in South Africa,” said Wilson Tauro, Country Manager Southern Africa at Air France-KLM.
“Together with Airlink, we are unlocking new opportunities for travellers while strengthening our presence in this vital market.”
Further down the line, Air France-KLM and Airlink plan to expand their codeshare operations with additional regional destinations such as Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, St Helena, Zambia and Zimbabwe, though this will be subject to approval by the relevant authorities in each country.
“Our long-standing commercial interline arrangement with Air France-KLM has created a solid foundation on which to build a more committed relationship with this codeshare,” said Rodger Foster, CEO and Managing Director of Airlink.
“It is a crucial relationship as both Air France and KLM provide extensive reach into many of Airlink’s key source markets in Europe and beyond.”
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