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.

Currently Qatar also operates additional flights between Johannesburg and Doha and back. Those between Johannesburg and Doha are operated on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing at 12:45 and now also carry the Airlink code 4Z 4000. The return flights are flown on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, leaving Doha at 01:10, and will be Airlink coded 4Z 4001. All these flights will use Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

The daily flights from Cape Town to Doha (departing at 12:35) will carry the Airlink code 4Z 4030, while the daily return flights (leaving Doha at 01:40) will be coded 4Z 4031. Additional flights from Cape Town to Doha are flown on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing at 18h55, and now also coded 4Z 4033. The equivalent return flights are operated on the same days, leaving at 08:35, and now will have the 4Z 4035 code. All these flights are operated with Airbus A350-900 widebody planes.

The daily flights from Durban to Doha, which depart at 12:25, will now also carry the Airlink code 4Z 4050. The return daily Doha-Durban flights (leaving at 01:25) will be coded 4Z 4051. These flights are also flown using A350-900 airliners.