Linking you...

Airlink's roots originated in Magnum Airlines and Lowveld Air Services and began on 11 June 1992. Business partners Rodger Foster and Barrie Webb successfully bid for liquidated Link Airways. Continuing the business of "Link" in a new corporate vehicle styled Airlink.

The British Aerospace AVRO RJ85 – regional jet airliner. (Image: Courtesy Airlink)

Since those days, Airlink has become South Africa's first feeder network. It joined South African Airways and South African Express in 1997 - the result being a powerful strategic alliance. Its mission: to provide economical, speedy and quality air services mentioned above. However, it doesn't limit itself to SA only, and now serves a total of more than 30 destinations throughout southern Africa. So if you have a hankering to see the lemurs of Madagascar, try some white water (and white knuckle) river rafting below Victoria Falls, baste and blister yourself on the beaches of Mozambique, or even get out of breath hiking through Lesotho, Airlink can get you there.

Getting you there

Today, Airlink is the largest independent regional airline in southern Africa, linking passengers to more smaller towns, cities and regional centres than any other local airline. Its fleet of aircraft will get you to where you want to be, quickly and efficiently. The airline operates up to 3,000 flights per month and carries just over a million passengers per annum.

The airline currently carries more than one million passengers annually by way of 35,000 flight missions. Airlink also says that it is proud to note that, despite fluctuations in the country's economy, it has shown growth in every single year of its existence. Its passenger profile represents 30% leisure and 70% business.

The ERJ 135-LR – regional jet airliner and corporate jet. (Image: Courtesy Airlink)

Small, however, doesn't mean less, and since Airlink successfully completed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and was placed on the IATA Register on 6 February 2008, you know you are flying with a safe airline.

'Are we there yet? Oh... So we've landed, then, have we... You're sure?'

We flew between Cape Town and Nelspruit and as a former pilot myself and somewhat of a critic when it comes to landings, for example - and having experienced some real bone-crushers (and handed out a few myself) - both landings we had were about the softest I have ever experienced - so I reckon I can confirm the safety side of things.

The meals and service were good, my only "chirps" such as they are, being that I found the seats a little narrow, and though I am my wife's only investment that has doubled, I'm not that large, so I found enjoying my lunch a bit of a mission. I was doing a sort of "woodpecker" action to get the food from lap to mouth.

The only other thing was I like a window seat and on the flight up, we were near the front, row 5 - and due to the aircraft structure, there was no window... though the seating plan seems to show one. So, if you're a window-seat fanatic, just check beforehand to confirm 100% that you'll be able to see out.

But those were my only "chirps"... overall, great flights both directions

Oh, and for me a big benefit... As we were on a BAe RJ85 (that's the high-wing, four-fan job) that carries 83 passengers, that meant that little time was lost waiting for baggage to be unloaded or collected upon landing - collecting luggage after flying in an A380 or similar can take a little while.

Giving you the freedom to discover

Airlink's current route map, but refer to the website for the any updates regarding destinations.

click to enlarge

The airline sets out to give you the freedom to discover. I, for example, discovered that even a baby elephant can be a little intimidating when up close and apparently trying to investigate my camera. I have a pic of Little Jumbo's eye to prove it! Airlink connects you to three of Africa's most sought after destinations, Kruger, Livingstone and Botswana. Moreover, the flights' timing is brilliant...

You can enjoy an early morning game drive and breakfast at a bush lodge in Kruger (and perhaps get up close to Jumbo and his mates, as mentioned above) before flying off to Livingstone and enjoying an evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi.

And this is all on the same day, by the way. And by the same token, when returning...

Coming from Livingstone to Kruger, you have time to enjoy a walk to the falls in the morning, breakfast and midmorning activities before travelling to Kruger to enjoy your first night in the bush - and believe me, you'll see stars you never saw before (and the animals, naturally).

The airline connects you from Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Livingstone to Nelspruit Kruger and also has direct flights from Johannesburg to Kasane (Botswana). These allow you a combination of safari activities linking Botswana with Zambia and Kruger.

I'd fly with Airlink again, any time.

Visit www.flyairlink.com for more information.