South African regional and domestic airline Airlink and major global carrier Qatar Airways have announced an expansion of their codesharing agreement. From August 31, Airlink will put its flight code, 4Z, on Qatar-operated flights and start marketing Doha in Qatar as its first long-haul destination.
This agreement will apply to Qatar-operated flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. It will, over subsequent months, also be applied to other destinations in Qatar’s global network.
“This codeshare is an important initial element in Airlink’s expanded network and market-reach strategy,” explained Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht. “It strengthens the airline’s market relevance and, leveraging Qatar Airways’ global presence, opens unparalleled connectivity opportunities for its customers.”
Qatar is a 25% shareholder in Airlink, a stake it acquired in 2024. Under the initial codeshare agreement between the two airlines, established in 2022, Qatar was able to put its flight code, QR, on Airlink’s South African domestic flights, plus some regional ones.
For the twice-daily flights from Johannesburg to Doha, the Airlink code 4Z 4002 now applies to the early flights (that depart at 13:45), while 4Z 4006 applies to the 20:30 flights. The morning flights from Doha back to Johannesburg, which leave at 08:05, have the Airlink code 4Z 4003, while the evening (20:25) flight will be coded 4Z 4007. All these flights will be operated with Boeing 787-9 widebody airliners.
