SA Airlink Update

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

As a valued customer of Airlink, having travelled with us whilst we were an SAA Franchisee, we are reaching out to you to advise that Airlink is now operating independently under its own unique 4Z flight code.

We wanted to take this opportunity to update you on this new status and introduce you to all the new features and benefits of flying with Airlink. Our website www.flyairlink.com is a new stand-alone booking platform with additional functionality and features aimed at simplifying your booking process. In order to enhance your travel booking experience, Airlink has established comprehensive preferred carrier relationships with a vast network of travel agents and tour operators.

About Airlink

Airlink is a privately-owned regional airline serving a comprehensive network of smaller destinations throughout Southern Africa. We are now operating independently under our own unique 4Z flight code offering more freedom, more choices and more travel opportunities.

When you see the sunbird icon on our aircraft, think Airlink. You’ll know that you’re travelling with Southern Africa’s largest (measured by flight movements) independent airline. Airlink has more than 50 commercial jetliners operating throughout Southern Africa. Last year we carried 2 million customers on more than 63 000 flights, on 55 routes to 39 destinations in nine African countries and St Helena Island.

Airlink’s on time performance is consistently better than 95% and this is a clear indication of our determination and commitment to remain synonymous with customer centricity, punctuality, service excellence, and reliability. Airlink is proudly the most on time South African airline as measured by the Airports Company of South Africa.

Feel Safe When You Fly Airlink

The safety and well-being of our customers, employees and aircraft is our top priority. Together with the operators of all airports within our domestic network, we have implemented all the necessary effective sanitization and distancing measures to mitigate the transmission of the COVID-19 virus throughout the service delivery value chain. Our E-Jet aircraft are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters, which are effective at blocking 99.97% of particulates, including Coronavirus molecules. These filters help to continually sterilize the air in our cabins, which is renewed entirely every three minutes. To read more click on www.skywaysmagazine.co.za/airflow/.

We want you to feel safe when you fly Airlink during the current COVID-19 travel restrictions. There are 6 important items that you need to remember before you travel to the airport – visit www.skywaysmagazine.co.za/covid-travel-protocol/.

Airlink Resumes Services, new routes and more

The lockdown at midnight on 26th March was tough on many sectors of the economy, especially airlines. However, Airlink welcomes the ability to provide limited air services under level 3 of the lockdown easing program. We commenced services between Johannesburg and Cape Town on 15 June 2020, and on Monday 6 July 2020 we reinstated services between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, Nelspruit KMIA, Upington and Pietermaritzburg as well as between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. We also introduced a new service between Cape Town and Bloemfontein. On 13 July we will be adding services between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. All our current services are specifically aimed at satisfying the needs of our business travel customers.

In the next few weeks we are expecting more airports to be approved by the Minister of Transport. Many of these are destinations served by Airlink, including; Kimberley, Mthatha, Polokwane, Richards Bay, Hoedspruit, Sishen as well as George which Airlink serves from Cape Town.

As the lockdown easing program permits leisure travel and as and when our national borders are re-opened, Airlink will hasten to amend our schedule to accommodate the needs of all of our customers.

Friends of Airlink

As a supporter of Airlink, we trust that you would like to continue receiving the latest Airlink news about routes and enhancements to our scheduled flight services and product announcements as we return services to the African Sky following the COVID-19 lockdown.

On behalf of the Airlink Team, we would like to thank you for your support and look forward to exploring the African Skies with you.

We invite you to experience the Airlink hospitality by choosing Airlink for your next business or leisure travel needs

To engage with us, please email customercare@flyairlink.com or call +27 11 451 7300

Regards
The Airlink Team

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Some good news for a change. I went to Airlink's website and looked up the gun policy. It seems that different airports have different fees.

https://www.flyairlink.com/baggage-policy/interlining-of-baggage#firearms-and-ammunition

FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION (SUBJECT TO ARRANGEMENT WITH AIRLINK PRIOR TO DEPARTURE)

South African Laws prohibit the carriage of firearms and ammunition in checked or cabin baggage of a passenger. These firearms and ammunition must be handed to security staff for the correct handling. A maximum weight of 5kg of ammunition may be transported. As of 01 November 2007, no hand weapons (small-arms, handguns i.e. pistols/revolvers, toy guns) will be accepted or may be transported on any Airlink aircraft. However, hunting rifles, shotguns, sporting firearms and hunting handguns may be transported as checked baggage, the following rules for the countries below must be adhered too:

1. South Africa
   • Cape Town / Durban / East London / Hoedspruit / OR Tambo International, Johannesburg / Pietermaritzburg / Polokwane / Port Elizabeth / Phalaborwa / Nelspruit (Kruger International) / Sishen / Mthatha / Upington.
   • Kimberley - Note a ZAR 300 for loading and ZAR 300 for off-loading per hunting rifle and shotgun. No fee to be paid for service in Cape Town or Johannesburg, only in Kimberley, Richard's Bay & Bloemfontein
   • Richards Bay - Note a ZAR 350 for loading and ZAR 350 for off-loading per hunting rifle and shotgun. No fee to be paid for service in Cape Town or Johannesburg, only in Kimberley, Richards Bay & Bloemfontein.
   • Bloemfontein - note the following charge will apply for loading and off-loading per rifle / Shotgun / Handgun: One - ZAR 400 / Two -ZAR 350 per firearm / Three or more - ZAR 300 per firearm. No fee to be paid for service in Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg, only in Kimberley, Richards Bay & Bloemfontein
   • Skukuza - Station Manager MUST be advised.
   • George - any firearms prohibited from transporting
2. Botswana
   • Kasane / Gaborone / Maun
3. Lesotho
   • Maseru
4. Madagascar
   • Antananarivo
   • Nosy By - any firearms prohibited from transporting
5. Mozambique
   • Beira / Nampula / Maputo / Pemba / Tete / Vilanculos
6. Namibia
   • Windhoek / Walvis Bay - Hunting Rifles may ONLY be transported.
7. Swaziland - (Eswantini)
   • Manzini
8. St Helena
   • St Helena Island / Ascension Island - any firearms prohibited from transporting
9. Zambia
   • Livingstone / Lusaka / Ndola
10. Zimbabwe
    • Bulawayo / Harare
    • Victoria Falls - Hunting Rifles may ONLY be transported.

Rifles and shotguns will not be accepted as Checked Baggage, unless approved no less than three (3) working days prior to departure through Airlink Reservations Control Tel +27 11 451 7350. Rifles must be unloaded with the safety catch on, and suitably packed and accompanied by all documents legally required by the countries of departure, destination and any stopovers. Only five (5) kilograms of ammunition is allowed per Passenger. Ammunition will never be carried in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft. Ammunition must be packed separately and securely from the firearm case.

Weapons such as antique firearms, swords, knives, toy or replica guns, bows and arrows and similar items may be accepted as Checked Baggage only at the airline's discretion. This is subject to prior approval and will not be permitted in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft.

Airlink will have no liability or responsibility where any item accepted is removed from Checked Baggage and/or retained or destroyed by security personnel, government officials, airport officials, police or military officials or other airlines involved in the carriage of a Passenger.

Firearms charges on SA Airways (effective for tickets issued on/after 15 May 19)

Shooting / Hunting (Firearms & Ammunition – subject to correct transportation / safety procedure being followed)

Rate per Sector issued as an EMD

Within South Africa

USD 25.00 (including VAT)

USD 21.74 (excluding VAT)

Within Africa

USD 45

International (excluding between FRA / MUC & JNB)

USD 65

Between FRA / MUC & JNB

Local Currency

EUR 150

ZAR 2400

 

[AZDAVE]

Nice to hear good news for a change.

 

[CAustin]

Thanks for the update sir!

 

[Philip Glass]

Thanks for posting this. I guess we will just have to wait and see what new routes are added.