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Private regional airline SA Airlink has changed its company name to Airlink, as part of a strategy to distinguish itself as a fully independent airline.
“Earlier this year, Airlink terminated its 23-year franchise agreement with South African Airways and began operating and ticketing with its own ‘4Z’ code and designator.
“This has freed Airlink and allowed it to forge commercial ties with other international airlines that carry passengers and cargo to and from destinations in southern Africa,” the airline said in a statement.
Airlink said it has since signed interline agreements with Qatar Airways, Emirates, British Airways, KLM, Air France and United. Airlink flights are now sold in www.flyairlink.com and they are no longer through the SAA website.
“The subtle but significant name change is a key element of our repositioning, recovery and growth strategy,” said Airlink CEO and CEO Rodger Foster.
“It should be seen alongside recent business developments, including interline agreements, the launch of our own major domestic services in South Africa, and new regional routes linking Johannesburg with Maputo and Windhoek.
He said Airlink plans to announce additional new and re-established routes in the coming weeks and months.
Silver lining
Airlink took advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns to focus on business continuity and future position in what has become a completely changed market, Foster said.
“The measures we have taken have all been in the best interest of the company, its employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders. Today, Airlink is a solid and financially sound business, ”he said.
The most visible change will be the introduction of a new corporate and branding image, which will be revealed soon, Foster said.
“In the meantime, we continue to focus on the job at hand, operating our schedule and keeping our customers happy by getting them to their destinations safely, on time and affordably,” said Foster.
Read: SAA and other state-owned companies will likely get bailouts in this week’s budget
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