Uganda Airlines has sealed an interline agreement with South Africa’s regional carrier Airlink, marking a major step toward smoother, more unified air travel across southern Africa. The deal links Uganda Airlines’ routes with Airlink’s expansive network through Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, allowing passengers to book a single ticket from Entebbe to over 45 destinations in South Africa and the wider region.
Under the partnership, travellers will enjoy simplified transfers and through-checked baggage, removing the hassle of repeated check-ins. Uganda Airlines said the agreement makes regional travel “seamless,” giving passengers one itinerary and faster linkups across multiple destinations.
The collaboration opens access to cities such as Cape Town, Durban, Victoria Falls, Windhoek and Gaborone, while Airlink passengers gain easier entry to Uganda Airlines’ growing African network. The expanded links are expected to boost tourism, business travel and intra-African trade by improving flight options and increasing load factors for both carriers.
Airlink will also adjust its Johannesburg–Nairobi service from March 2026, introducing early morning departures southbound and midday flights northbound. The new timings aim to synchronise better with regional and long-haul connections. CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht emphasized Nairobi’s position as a critical East African gateway, noting that the schedule changes will enhance business travel.
In a separate development, Malawi Airlines will launch direct Lilongwe–Entebbe flights on December 15, operating four times weekly. The route eliminates stopovers and is expected to stimulate cross-border commerce, tourism and investment between the two countries.
Analysts say these moves reflect a wider continental push for stronger intra-African connectivity, an essential pillar for economic integration. For passengers, the gains are immediate: quicker journeys, fewer logistical barriers and wider travel options. For airlines, the partnerships unlock new feeder markets and strengthen regional traffic flows.
