Airlink touches down in Zanzibar, launching new trips between the isles and Johannesburg

Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier airline, touched down in Zanzibar on Wednesday, 3rd June 2026, inaugurating its new year-round, twice-a-week, return service from Johannesburg.

The Airlink welcome reception group was led by Dr Aboud Suleiman Jumbe, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, accompanied by Her Excellency, Noluthando Mayende-Malepe, South Africa’s High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania

The legendary Tanzanian island in the Indian Ocean is famous for its history, culture, spices, beaches, forest and marine life as well as resorts.

These have made Zanzibar an increasingly popular destination for tourists from around the world, including South Africa.

Due to that therefore, Airlink will add a third weekly return flight on the route from 15 December 2026 to 13 January 2027 for the peak summer holiday season, intercepting the Christmas and New Year traffic.

These are in addition to an entirely new non-stop service between Cape Town and Zanzibar, launching on 03 October 2026.

“Besides becoming a tourist bucket-list destination, Zanzibar’s flourishing economy, which includes its traditional spice trade but also manufacturing, fishing, marine tourism and offshore oil and gas exploration, is an increasingly powerful magnet for investment and trade, which Airlink is well-placed to support,” said de Villiers Engelbrecht, Airlink CEO.

Zanzibar’s proximity to Johannesburg, Airlink’s main hub, puts the island within reach of customers based in the greater Gauteng area.

The convenient timing of the flights allows for easy connections with Airlink’s network of 48 destinations in 15 countries across South Africa and the related Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.  

Similarly, they provide easy connections for customers travelling between Zanzibar and the rest of the world through Airlink’s inter-continental partner airline network.

The adoption of an efficient, new online electronic visa application system and the alternative option of obtaining visas on arrival, are also contributing to Zanzibar’s popularity.

Zanzibar is also the first international destination for Airlink’s brand new, state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 flagship passenger jets.

These modern, fuel-efficient aircraft accommodate up to 136 passengers in comfortable seats with generous leg-room and a choice of either aisle or window seats.

Apparently, Airlink aircraft do not have middle seats.

Onboard, customers receive complimentary meals and refreshments. Airlink customers also benefit from a free 15kg sporting equipment allowance in addition to 20 kilograms free checked luggage for discounted economy class tickets, and 30 kilograms checked luggage for full-fare economy travelers.

Airlink was established in 1992 and is Southern Africa’s premier, privately-owned regional airline.

Its fleet of over 70 modern jetliners serves these cities and other destinations throughout Southern Africa and St Helena Island.

Airlink offers worldwide connections through its partners, which include many trusted and well-known inter-continental brands, and its FlyNamibia franchise.

Airlink’s innovative “Skybucks” frequent flyer programme rewards its loyal customers.

Skybucks is also partnered with Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club programmes.

Airlink is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) member, accredited under its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) safety audit programme, and certified through the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Organization.