Airlink and Qatar Airways will expand their codeshare agreement when the privately owned, South African-based carrier places its code on Qatar Airways-operated flights from 31 August 2026 and begins marketing Doha as its first long-haul destination.
The agreement will enable Airlink (4Z) to codeshare on Qatar Airways flights currently operating twice daily from Johannesburg to Doha, up to twice daily from Cape Town, and daily from Durban. Over the coming months, the codeshare partnership will be expanded to include additional destinations across Qatar Airways’ global network.
“This codeshare is an important initial element in Airlink’s expanded network and market-reach strategy. It strengthens the airline’s market relevance and, leveraging Qatar Airways’ global presence, opens unparalleled connectivity opportunities for its customers,” said de Villiers Engelbrecht, CEO of Airlink.
The codeshare with Airlink deepens Qatar Airways’ commitment to improving connectivity to, and from, South Africa. Qatar Airways’ presence in Africa spans more than three decades, dating back to its inaugural flight in 1994, which laid the foundation for a strategic commitment to connect the continent with the world. As of August 2026, the airline operates 194 weekly flights to 27 cities across 20 African countries, complemented by interline and codeshare agreements, including the one with Airlink.
It reciprocates the 2022 codeshare agreement entered into between the two independently-managed airlines, which enabled Qatar Airways to place its code (QR) on Airlink’s domestic flights in South Africa and across several regional routes. It also builds on Qatar Airways’ 25 per cent minority shareholding in Airlink, which it acquired in 2024.
The expanded collaboration further strengthens the loyalty agreement between Airlink Skybucks and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, launched in early 2025. Under the programme, Skybucks members can earn and redeem Skybucks, while Privilege Club members can earn and redeem Avios on flights operated by either airline.
These codeshare flights significantly enhance travel options between South Africa and Qatar, providing consistent schedules, modern widebody aircraft, the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky with Starlink, premium travel experiences and seamless onward connections through Qatar Airways’ global network via Hamad International Airport.
Airlink’s codeshare flights between South Africa and Doha are now available for sale through the airline’s sales channels and flyairlink.com for travel from 31 August 2026 with the following schedules:
Johannesburg – Doha – Johannesburg: Double-daily services, operated with Airbus A350 aircraft.
Cape Town – Doha – Cape Town: 10 weekly services to Doha, operated with Airbus A350 aircraft.
Durban – Doha – Durban*: One-daily service, operated with Airbus A350 aircraft. *Flights on this route operate via Maputo.
