Airlink expands regional footprint with Ndola capacity boost and new Nacala route

February 4, 2026 in Companies, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Airlink is expanding its regional network with increased flights between Johannesburg and Zambia’s Copperbelt city of Ndola and the launch of a new Johannesburg–Nacala route. The moves strengthen air connectivity to key trade, mining and logistics hubs in Zambia and northern Mozambique.

Southern Africa’s regional carrier Airlink is deepening its footprint across the sub-region with expanded services to Zambia’s Copperbelt and the launch of a new route to northern Mozambique, underscoring growing demand for air connectivity linked to trade, mining and logistics.

From late March 2026, Airlink will increase capacity on its Johannesburg–Ndola route by adding a second flight three times a week, supplementing its existing daily service. At the same time, the airline has inaugurated a new Johannesburg–Nacala service, opening direct air links to Mozambique’s third-largest harbour town and the strategically important Nacala Corridor.

Ndola, Zambia’s third-largest city and capital of the Copperbelt Province, is emerging as a key industrial and logistics hub for mining, manufacturing and regional trade. Airlink says the additional flights are designed to better serve both business and leisure travellers while improving connectivity through its Johannesburg hub.

The new Ndola services will see flights arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport in the morning, a schedule aimed at improving productivity for business travellers heading to Gauteng and enabling smoother onward connections to Airlink’s domestic, regional and long-haul partner networks.

“With our expanded fleet, Airlink can better serve the needs of the increased number of business and leisure customers flying on this route,” said Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht. “Our expanded service enables customers to connect at our O.R. Tambo International Airport hub with our other domestic and regional services as well as long-haul flights provided by our global airline partners.”

From 30 March 2026, Airlink will operate daily Embraer E190 flights between Johannesburg and Ndola, complemented by three additional weekly services using Embraer ERJ135 aircraft, increasing schedule flexibility for travellers moving between South Africa and Zambia’s Copperbelt.

New air bridge to northern Mozambique

Just days earlier, Airlink launched its inaugural Johannesburg–Nacala service, adding its seventh destination in Mozambique and extending its network deeper into the country’s northern provinces.

Nacala is a vital gateway for trade and logistics, serving not only northern Mozambique but also the wider Nacala Corridor, which provides Malawi and Zambia with access to markets in Asia, the Middle East and along Africa’s eastern seaboard.

The new route will initially be served with twice-weekly return flights on Mondays and Fridays, operated by Embraer regional jets. Airlink says the service is designed to complement Nacala’s growing role as a multi-modal transport hub by adding reliable air connectivity to its port, rail and road infrastructure.

“By adding Nacala to our network, Airlink adds the vital component of air connectivity, positioning Nacala into a truly multi-modal transport and logistics node for this region,” Engelbrecht said. “Our convenient, reliable, great value and full-service flights will be a game-changer for Nacala and the businesses and enterprises it supports.”

Local leaders have welcomed the new service, citing its potential to unlock trade, tourism and investment in northern Mozambique. Nampula Province Governor Eduardo Mariamo Abdula said the route would help integrate the region more closely with global markets and stimulate economic growth.

Airlink’s Mozambique operations span more than three decades, with the airline now operating over 60 return flights a week to destinations including Maputo, Beira, Pemba, Nampula, Tete, Vilanculos and Nacala. As with its Ndola expansion, the new Nacala flights are timed to connect efficiently with Airlink’s broader network and its long-haul airline partners.

Engelbrecht said the airline is taking a measured approach to growth on the new route. “We are starting modestly with two return flights a week, but we see enormous potential and intend to add capacity and increase frequency as demand grows.”

Together, the Ndola capacity increase and the Nacala launch reflect Airlink’s strategy of strengthening regional connectivity by linking Africa’s emerging industrial, mining and logistics centres through Johannesburg, positioning the airline to benefit from rising intra-African trade and travel.