Airlink Expands Qatar Airways Codeshare to Add Doha as First Long-Haul Destination
South African carrier Airlink will begin marketing Doha as its first long-haul destination from 31 August 2026, through an expanded codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways. The arrangement places Airlink's 4Z code on Qatar Airways-operated flights between South Africa and Doha, covering double-daily services from Johannesburg, up to double-daily from Cape Town, and a daily service from Durban - the latter operating via Maputo. All routes will be operated with Airbus A350 aircraft.
The expanded codeshare builds on an existing relationship between the two carriers, which includes a reciprocal 2022 codeshare allowing Qatar Airways to place its QR code on Airlink's domestic and regional routes, as well as Qatar Airways' 25% minority shareholding in Airlink acquired in 2024. A loyalty programme link between Airlink Skybucks and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, launched in early 2025, allows members of both programmes to earn and redeem points across either airline's network. The agreement gives South African travellers seamless onward connections through Hamad International Airport to Qatar Airways' global network, which currently serves 27 African cities across 20 countries with 194 weekly flights.
Source: FlyAirlink
