Cebu Pacific Air funds A320 deliveries with export credit backed deals
16th August 2012
Qatar Airways has acquired a 25% stake in Airlink - a regional airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company said the investment will be a key driver in ""realising economic and business potential"" in Africa. Airlink flies to over 45 destinations in 15 African countries. The investment will enhance a codesharing partnership between the two airlines. ""Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business’ future,"" said Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. ""This partnership not only demonstrates our confidence in Airlink, as a company that is resilient, agile, financially robust and governed on sound principles, but also in Africa as a whole, showing huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising."" Airlink chief executive Rodger Foster commented on the investment: ""Having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and echoes our faith in the markets we currently serve and plan to add to our network. This transaction will unlock growth by providing efficiencies of scale, increasing our capacity and expanding our marketing reach."" At present, Qatar operates flights to 29 destinations in Africa. The company has seen strong potential in the continent.