News
Airlink Expands Summer Schedule with More Flights, New Routes
Airlink, the independent and privately owned regional airline, is expanding its schedule for the Southern African summer season, adding new routes, increasing frequencies on several services, and bringing its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft and Business Class product to more customers.
The changes, to be introduced between October and December 2026, will give customers more convenient flight options during the region’s peak leisure and family travel season.
“Whether people are travelling to spend time with their loved ones, heading off on holiday or working throughout the season, we want to give our customers more choice and a better experience, wherever they are going and whatever takes them there,” said Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht.
Schedule changes for October 2026:
| Flight No | Weekday | Aircraft | Dep | Time | Arr | Time | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Z 010 | Wed, Sun | E195-E2 | JNB | 12:00 | ZNZ | 16:35 | Business Class product added |
| 4Z 011 | Mon, Thu | E195-E2 | ZNZ | 12:00 | JNB | 14:55 | Business Class product added |
| 4Z 070 | Daily | E195-E2 | JNB | 13:30 | NBO | 18:30 | Upgraded to E195-E2 operation |
| 4Z 071 | Daily | E195-E2 | NBO | 06:30 | JNB | 09:40 | Upgraded to E195-E2 operation |
- All times local at origin / destination.
From October, Airlink will add its new E195-E2 Business Class offering to its twice-weekly Johannesburg (JNB)-Zanzibar (ZNZ) service. This will increase to three flights a week for the December peak using an additional Embraer E190.
Airlink’s new E195-E2 aircraft feature a first-of-its-kind staggered seating layout in the premium cabin, offering a quieter, more spacious and private experience. Airlink will also deploy an E2 aircraft on its daily Johannesburg (JNB)-Nairobi (NBO) flights from October.
Schedule changes for November 2026:
| Flight No | Weekday | Aircraft | Dep | Time | Arr | Time | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Z 090 | Mon, Thu, Sat | E190 | HLA | 07:00 | HRE | 08:40 | New route |
| 4Z 091 | Wed, Fri, Sun | E190 | HRE | 17:45 | HLA | 19:25 | New route |
- All times local at origin / destination.
November will see the launch of Airlink’s Johannesburg Lanseria (HLA)-Harare (HRE) service. Operating three times a week using an E190, the route will give travellers from the northern and north-western suburbs of Johannesburg, the West Rand, parts of Pretoria and the North West province a convenient alternative to travelling through O.R. Tambo International Airport.
| Flight No | Weekday | Aircraft | Dep | Time | Arr | Time | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Z 010 | Tue | E190 | JNB | 12:00 | ZNZ | 16:35 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 011 | Wed | E190 | ZNZ | 12:00 | JNB | 14:55 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 384 | Tue, Thu, Sat | E190 | CPT | 10:35 | HRE | 13:45 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 385 | Tue, Thu, Sat | E190 | HRE | 14:30 | CPT | 17:45 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 246 | Sat | E190 | JNB | 09:40 | NOS | 14:10 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 247 | Sat | E190 | NOS | 14:55 | JNB | 17:45 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 695 | Daily | E190 | JNB | 17:35 | GRJ | 19:35 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 690 | Daily | E190 | GRJ | 07:35 | JNB | 09:10 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 621 | Sat, Sun | E190 | CPT | 07:00 | GRJ | 07:55 | Additional frequency |
| 4Z 622 | Sat, Sun | E190 | GRJ | 08:25 | CPT | 09:20 | Additional frequency |
- All times local at origin / destination.
From December, other changes include a new daily return service between Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International and George (GRJ), with Nosy Be (NOS) in Madagascar receiving an additional flight for the peak summer travel season.
From Cape Town (CPT), Airlink will increase its Harare (HRE) service with three weekly flights and will add two additional weekend return services to George (GRJ), complementing its broad network of existing routes to and from the Garden Route.
Across all Airlink flights, passengers enjoy a choice of either aisle or window seats in either a one- or two-by-two configuration – there are no middle seats on Airlink’s aircraft.
Customers also benefit from generous legroom, large eye-level windows, ample overhead storage and complimentary meals and beverages, while all passengers receive a 15kg sporting equipment allowance in addition to their standard checked baggage allowance. Discounted Economy Class fares include a 20kg allowance, while full-fare Economy and Business Class travellers receive 30kg.
To plan, book and manage their Airlink journeys, customers should visit FlyAirlink.com, download the FlyAirlink smartphone app, contact Airlink Reservations on +27 (0)11 451-7300, or their preferred travel agent.