South Africa’s Airlink has signed a special prorate agreement (SPA) with Reunion’s Air Austral.
Air Austral is a French airline based in Reunion Island. It is a major player in the Indian Ocean region, offering services to France as well as other regional destinations.
The carrier operates a modern fleet made up of two Boeing 787-8 dual-class aircraft, three 777-300 triple-class aircraft for long-haul flights, and three new Airbus A220 aircraft for regional flights.
Improved Indian Ocean Connectivity
The agreement improves connectivity for passengers, bringing the networks of both airlines closer together. Air Austral’s passengers will have access to Airlink’s network of 45 destinations across South Africa and the Southern Africa region.
These destinations will be offered as connections through Johannesburg, on Air Austral’s Reunion–Johannesburg services.
“This partnership represents a major milestone in the development of our network. By joining forces with Airlink, we are offering our customers more choice and flexibility to access Southern Africa,” said Air Austral CEO Hugues Marchessaux in a news release.
Bilateral SPA Agreement
Air Austral’s passengers will be able to book connecting trips on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to their final destination. From Reunion, they can connect to destinations such as Cape Town, Durban, Windhoek, Gaborone, Lusaka, Victoria Falls, and others.
Airlink is also now able to offer services beyond Reunion on Air Austral’s route network. This includes flights to Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, the Comoros Islands, the Seychelles, and others with a single ticket.
“This collaboration marks an exciting step forward in strengthening connectivity between the Indian Ocean islands and the African continent — unlocking new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Together, we are building bridges that bring our regions closer and create lasting value for our customers,” Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht said in a statement.
