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Airlink Boosts Joburg to Madagascar Flights to Pre-COVID Levels

Published

9 months ago

July 24, 2023

Airlink has taken a significant step towards restoring flights between South Africa and Madagascar to pre-pandemic levels by reinstating weekly scheduled services between Johannesburg and Nosy Be, effective 23 June 2023 as reported by Travel Weekly.

This development comes on the heels of Airlink’s resumption of flights to Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, in January 2023, following the lifting of a nearly three-year ban on flights between the two countries.

CEO and MD of Airlink, Rodger Foster, expressed the company’s commitment to rekindling tourism between Johannesburg and Antananarivo. He highlighted the strategic importance of this route as a predominantly business and trade route while also recognising the potential to boost leisure travel through the revival of their popular Nosy Be service.

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Beyond serving visitors from Southern Africa, Airlink aims to enhance accessibility to Nosy Be by leveraging the convenience and diverse connections with its growing family of more than 20 global airline partners facilitated through their main hub at O.R. Tambo International Airport. As Foster puts it, this move opens up yet another excellent destination choice for Airlink’s customers.

Nosy Be, the unique Indian Ocean Island located off Madagascar’s northwest coast, is renowned for its unspoiled beaches, diverse flora and fauna, including the world-famous lemurs. Before the pandemic, it had seen a surge in popularity among South African tourists.

The island’s allure lies in its suitability for outdoor adventurers and water sports enthusiasts, offering opportunities for scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and sport fishing in an uncommercialised setting.

Recognising the interest in exploring these activities, Airlink provides travellers with added convenience by offering a generous complimentary 15kg sporting equipment allowance in addition to the 20kg Economy Class checked luggage allowance.

To facilitate the Nosy Be service, Airlink will be deploying its modern Embraer E-170 twin-engine jetliners, operating once a week, concurrently with their three weekly flights between Johannesburg and Antananarivo.