After a 20-month gap, Airlink has resumed its scheduled services between Johannesburg and Richards Bay. The first flight touched down at the coastal town’s airport on Monday morning, September 19.
The reinstatement of the airline’s daily flights came after a 20-month hiatus, while Richards Bay Airport remedied its resources to accommodate scheduled airline operations in compliance with international-standard civil aviation safety requirements.
“Richards Bay plays a crucial role in KZN’s industrial and trade mix and Airlink’s flights connect the coal terminus town and the businesses it hosts to other markets and economic centres. By doing so, Airlink is enhancing Richard Bay’s competitiveness and its attractiveness as a modern, efficient industrial destination for trade, investment and job creation.
“We have looked forward to welcoming Richards Bay customers back on board and, with the necessary support and service from Airports Company South Africa, the City of uMhlathuze and the Provincial Government, we will be able to play our part in developing the local economy,” said Airlink CEO and MD, Rodger Foster.
With the resumption of flights on the route, Airlink is re-connecting Richards Bay with Airlink’s expansive network of domestic and regional destinations as well as those around the world through Airlink’s global airline partners.
Services begin with the airline operating its 29-seat Jetstream 41 turboprop airliners on the flights, with a view to using larger jets once sufficient traffic volumes have been achieved on the route.
