“Airlink Zimbabwe will commence operating new air services between Zimbabwe and South Africa on 21 November”, Forbes Magadu the Chairman of Flywell Airlines (Pvt) Ltd trading as Airlink Zimbabwe announced in Harare this afternoon.

The Airline has recently signed a restructuring agreement with South African Airlink, a Johannesburg based privately owned Airline, which brings about a strategic equity relationship whereby South African Airlink has acquired 49% equity in Airlink Zimbabwe. The company will remain controlled by Zimbabweans and has entered into a Franchise Agreement with South African Airways and will operate bearing the “SA” code designator.

Airlink Zimbabwe will be offering high frequency services on the Harare Johannesburg route and the Bulawayo Johannesburg route, using brand new state of the art Embraer ERJ135 regional jets. The all economy class leather interiors in these fast and comfortable jets sport the newest available seating style providing substantially more legroom than conventional economy class products.

Airlink Zimbabwe General Manager, Captain Eric Matava, said, “the overall service offered would be pitched between conventional economy and business class services but would be offered at very affordable economy class prices!”

The schedule is designed to offer same day return flights to the businessmen at both ends of the city pair at very convenient times. The services would depart Johannesburg each morning at 06h15 arriving at Harare at 07h45 Monday to Saturday. The Harare Johannesburg departure would be at 08h15 daily Monday to Saturday. The end of the day flights will depart Johannesburg at 16h45 and Harare at 19h00 respectively and will operate Monday to Friday and Sunday. Bulawayo flights depart Johannesburg at 10h40 and Bulawayo at 12h55 respectively and operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The high frequency flights using the small gauge jet offer better quality and quantity of service, with more travel and connection options, than that seen previously on these routes.

The next phase of the project that will address some currently under-serviced domestic routes such as Harare Bulawayo, Harare Kariba, and Harare Vic Falls as well as some over-boarder routes such as Harare Lusaka and Harare Windhoek will start in January 2002.

“Airlink Zimbabwe is extremely proud to have been designated to some key destinations in States within the SADC and COMESA precincts and has delayed announcing the commencement of its new services until absolutely sure that all the I’s are dotted and that services will commence on the date. We don’t want any False Starts!” cautioned Magadu. “Once the services and the new jets have been introduced to the travelling public, Airlink Zimbabwe intends to commence additional services linking Zimbabwe with its strategically important neighbours early in the New Year” advised Matava.

Enquiries to be directed to: the Chairman, Forbes Magadu, Harare 74 9687, cell (011) 201 738: the General Manager, Captain E Matava, + (263) (0) 912 42 898

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