Airlink Launches Johannesburg – Zanzibar Service with Cape Town Route to Follow in October
Airlink has inaugurated its new twice-weekly year-round service between Johannesburg and Zanzibar, with the first flight touching down this week. The southern African carrier will increase frequency to three weekly return flights on the route from 15 December 2026 to 13 January 2027 for the peak summer holiday season. An entirely new non-stop service between Cape Town and Zanzibar is also set to launch on 3 October 2026. Zanzibar marks the first international destination to be served by Airlink's new Embraer E195-E2 flagship jets, which accommodate up to 136 passengers in a configuration with no middle seats, offering complimentary meals, a 20kg checked baggage allowance for discounted economy fares, and a free 15kg sporting equipment allowance.
Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht described Zanzibar as more than a tourist destination, citing the island's "flourishing economy" encompassing its traditional spice trade, manufacturing, fishing, marine tourism, and offshore oil and gas exploration as drivers of growing investment and trade flows. The Johannesburg hub positions Zanzibar within reach of Airlink's network of 48 destinations across 15 countries in South Africa and the SADC region, while also providing onward connections through the airline's intercontinental partner network. The launch adds to a growing number of direct air links between southern Africa and Zanzibar, following the recent announcement of a Cape Town – Zanzibar service also planned for October 2026.
Source: Tourism News Africa
