Airlink Chief Executive Officer de Villiers Engelbrecht has said South Africa remains “one of the cheapest places to fly in the world,” even as airlines face rising operational costs and intense competition across the domestic and regional aviation markets.
Speaking in an interview with aviation journalist Andreas Spaeth of aerotime.aero, in Johannesburg, Engelbrecht highlighted that the airline’s fares, when benchmarked in hard currency per kilometre, sit at roughly 40% of global averages—despite airline costs being largely dollar-denominated.
The comments come as Airlink enters a new phase of expansion driven by the introduction of its first Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, part of a 10-jet order that marks the carrier’s most significant fleet renewal in three decades.
New E2 Fleet Driving Expansion
Engelbrecht confirmed that Airlink received its first E2 aircraft in September 2025, with three already delivered out of the total order. Four more jets are expected later in 2026, while the remaining three are scheduled for delivery in 2027.
He noted that the aircraft underwent a rigorous five-phase certification process with South Africa’s aviation regulator before entering service in December 2025, describing the approval process as smooth and professionally managed.
The E2, configured with 136 seats in its initial version and up to 124 seats in a dual-class layout, represents a major upgrade from Airlink’s existing E-Jets, which have up to 98 seats.
Engelbrecht said the airline opted to stick with Embraer aircraft after evaluating other narrow-body options, citing cost efficiency and operational consistency.
“We achieved the same per-seat cost as a narrow-body aircraft, but with better efficiency in a two-by-two configuration,” he said, adding that the E2 will remain Airlink’s largest aircraft for at least the next decade.
Fleet Modernisation and Route Expansion
Airlink currently operates a fleet of around 70 Embraer aircraft, making it one of the largest Embraer operators globally. The carrier is gradually integrating the E2 into its network while phasing in cabin upgrades across its existing fleet.
Engelbrecht explained that the airline’s hybrid fleet structure is a result of opportunistic post-COVID acquisitions, but said long-term plans would ideally see consolidation toward fewer aircraft types.
The airline is also preparing for expansion into new regional routes, including increased frequencies to Zanzibar and potential new services from Cape Town to Zanzibar and Mauritius.
He said the E2’s range and efficiency make it a key enabler for Airlink’s growth strategy, including longer regional flights and network optimisation.
Competitive Pressure and Market Shift
Airlink operates in one of Africa’s most competitive aviation markets, where low-cost carrier FlySafair dominates domestic capacity with around 68% share. Airlink’s domestic share currently stands at approximately 14%, down from previous levels, as the airline shifts focus toward regional operations.
Engelbrecht said Airlink is not driven by market share but by network efficiency and profitability, noting that the airline remains the leading operator in intra-African regional connectivity from South Africa, accounting for about 62% of capacity among local carriers in that segment.
He added that constraints such as airport capacity, airspace limitations, and pilot shortages are increasingly shaping airline strategy in the region.
Infrastructure and Operational Challenges
The Airlink CEO also raised concerns about South Africa’s aviation infrastructure, citing declining reliability in air traffic services and airport utilities.
He said failures in maintaining instrument flight procedures have created operational inefficiencies, forcing airlines to divert flights during poor weather conditions.
“There has been sustained infrastructure decay, and unfortunately it has extended into aviation,” Engelbrecht said, pointing to challenges faced at state-owned infrastructure entities.
Profitability and Financial Outlook
Despite market pressures, Airlink has remained consistently profitable since 2022 after surviving the COVID-19 downturn. Engelbrecht said the airline had an 18-year profit track record prior to the pandemic and has since returned to pre-COVID performance levels.
He added that the airline does not publish financial results but remains commercially sustainable through disciplined pricing and network strategy.
Pricing Strategy and Competition
Responding to perceptions that Airlink is a high-fare carrier, Engelbrecht defended the airline’s pricing model, arguing that South Africa remains a low-cost flying environment globally.
He said fares are structured to ensure sustainability in a dollar-cost environment, warning that underpricing would threaten long-term viability.
The CEO also confirmed that FlySafair, South African Airways, Lift, and CemAir remain key competitors in the domestic market, while Airlink continues to focus on regional expansion and partnerships.
Qatar Airways Investment Impact
Engelbrecht also highlighted the strategic value of Qatar Airways’ 25% stake in Airlink, describing it as a major endorsement of the airline’s operational and financial credibility.
He said the partnership provides significant brand leverage in negotiations with lessors and manufacturers, while also strengthening network connectivity into South Africa through feeder traffic arrangements.
However, he emphasized that Airlink remains fully independent in its operations and decision-making.
Outlook
With new aircraft deliveries, expanding regional routes, and sustained profitability, Engelbrecht said Airlink is positioning itself for long-term growth despite structural challenges in the South African aviation sector.
“We are focused on strengthening our network and building a sustainable airline for the future,” he said.
