Airlink is expanding its East African offering with a new daily Johannesburg-Nairobi service from April 24, making it the first South African private-sector airline to offer flights on this route.
Kenya thus becomes the 15th country in Airlink’s comprehensive sub-Saharan route network and its third in East Africa. The airline will provide much-needed competition and additional choices for business and leisure travellers.
The service will be operated with Airlink’s 98-seat Embraer E190 jetliners.
“Airlink’s entry on the route supports last November’s agreement by Kenya and South Africa to eliminate trade barriers and strengthen commerce and economic ties by opening up business and co-operation between the two major economies in key sectors and markets. It also follows South Africa’s removal of visa requirements for Kenyans visiting South Africa for up to 90 days. South Africans do not require visas to visit Kenya,” says Airlink CEO and MD, Rodger Foster.
“This is also an important moment for Eastern-Southern Africa connectivity. With Airlink’s network now including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and most of the Southern Africa Development Community nations, we offer travellers the widest set of choices and convenient regional and inter-continental connections on our own aircraft and with our global carrier partners. These enable the businesses and economies Airlink serves to expand their own respective market reach. Similarly, our competitive services will promote tourism in both markets, generating additional foreign travel spend.”
Daily flight times:
- 4Z 070 departs Johannesburg at 09h40, arriving in Nairobi at 14h45
- 4Z 071 departs Nairobi at 15h45, arriving in Johannesburg at 19h05
Airlink’s premium Business-Class and Economy-Class services will be available on the route. Its intra-continental Business-Class service on the Embraer E-jets features wide seats in a two plus one abreast configuration. Service on these flights includes complimentary meals and beverages, a 30kg checked-in luggage allowance and priority boarding. Economy Class fares include a 20kg free economy class checked-in luggage allowance, plus 15kg sporting equipment allowance. On board, customers are treated to a complimentary light meal, refreshments, generous leg-room and a choice of aisle or window seat (the flights do not have middle seats).
