Airlink Expands Zimbabwe Network with New Lanseria-Harare route

August 3, 2026 in Business, Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

 

Southern Africa’s largest regional airline targets western Johannesburg market with first scheduled services from Lanseria International Airport.

 

 

Airlink will launch three weekly flights between Johannesburg’s Lanseria International Airport and Harare from November 15, adding capacity on one of Southern Africa’s busiest routes and giving travellers an alternative to O.R. Tambo International Airport.

 

Southern African regional carrier Airlink will launch scheduled flights between Johannesburg’s Lanseria International Airport and Harare from November 15, marking the airline’s first scheduled service from Lanseria and expanding capacity on one of the region’s busiest international routes.

The privately owned airline announced on Monday that it will operate the route three times a week using its 98-seat Embraer E190 aircraft, offering travellers an alternative gateway to Johannesburg outside the city’s main O.R. Tambo International Airport.

According to Airlink Chief Executive Officer de Villiers Engelbrecht, the Johannesburg-Harare market remains one of Southern Africa’s busiest air corridors, recording average demand of about 60,000 seats a month during 2025.

“A significant percentage of this market comprises people within Lanseria’s catchment area and Airlink is able to better serve these customers by augmenting our existing services, which operate out of O.R. Tambo, with the new Lanseria flights,” Engelbrecht said.

The new route reflects a broader trend among African airlines to diversify airport access in major metropolitan areas as they seek to improve passenger convenience and reduce congestion at primary hubs.

Located northwest of Johannesburg, Lanseria International Airport serves communities and businesses across western Gauteng and South Africa’s North West Province, providing shorter access times for many corporate and leisure travellers.

Flights from Lanseria will depart every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:00 a.m., arriving in Harare at 8:40 a.m., while return services from the Zimbabwean capital will operate every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, departing at 5:45 p.m. and arriving in Johannesburg at 7:25 p.m.

Airlink will deploy its Embraer E190 aircraft on the route, configured with 98 seats comprising six Business Class and 92 Economy Class seats. The airline noted that its cabin layout features only window and aisle seats, eliminating middle seats.

The launch further strengthens Airlink’s extensive regional network, which has expanded significantly in recent years through partnerships with international airlines and increased connectivity across Southern Africa.