Airlink heads to Kinshasa in DRC

Airlink will introduce scheduled services between Johannesburg and Kinshasa next year.

Airlink
Airlink will introduce flights to Lubumbashi. Image: Lorne Philpot

Southern Africa’s privately owned Airlink will ramp up air services between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo with the launch of Johannesburg – Kinshasa flights from 28 March 2025.

The airline already offers scheduled flights between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

It has been operating flights into the DRC’s second-largest city since 2020.

“The D.R. Congo is a significant market for Airlink.  We first stepped into the ring in 2020 with flights to Lubumbashi and now we are ready to follow through by adding Kinshasa to our formidable regional network.  This will give customers on the route far greater reach and travel options than they currently enjoy.”  Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster said.

AIRLINK ADDS KINSHASA FLIGHTS

Kinshasa is indeed an important destination from a regional perspective.

It is the most populated city in Africa and therefore has huge potential for airlines offering services into and out of the city.

“Kinshasa is a regional heavyweight.  Besides serving as the country’s political and economic capital, it is Africa’s most populous city with over seventeen million inhabitants.  With Airlink’s combination of schedule, connections and great service we expect to have a knock-out response,” Foster said.

Airlink will in fact operate three flights a week on this route, using an Embraer E190 aircraft. The aircraft can indeed seat up to 98 passengers in two classes.

Airlink’s premium Business Class and Economy Class services are available on the route.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

To Kinshasa:

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays flight 4Z 010 will depart Johannesburg at 20.30 and arrives in Kinshasa at 23.40.

To Johannesburg:

On Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays flight 4Z 011 will depart Kinshasa at 00.25 and arrives in Johannesburg at 05.30.

Airlink flights are scheduled to provide convenient connections with its South African domestic and regional services as well as with long-haul flights provided by its global airline partners.

ALSO READ: More on the Airlink, Qatar Airways partnership

TWO CLASS CABIN

These flights will offer passengers two classes of travel. Services include complimentary meals and beverages, checked and cabin baggage.

Airlink’s intra-continental Business Class service on its state-of-the-art Embraer E-jets features wide seats arranged in a two-plus-one abreast configuration with plenty of legroom between each row.   

Business Class includes a 30kg check-in luggage allowance and priority boarding. 

Economy Class fares include a 20kg free checked-in luggage allowance, however, full-fare Economy (Y class) ticketholders may check-in up to 30kg of luggage at no charge.    

The cabin is designed for comfort with generous legroom and a choice of aisle or window seats – Airlink aircraft do not have middle seats.  

All Airlink customers are also entitled to a 15kg sporting equipment allowance.

Scroll to Top