Airlines

Qatar Airways Acquires 25% Stake in Airlink, Strengthening African Presence

Qatar Airways Group has announced a significant move in its expansion strategy by acquiring a 25% stake in Airlink, Southern Africa’s leading independent regional airline.

This investment marks a pivotal step in the multi-award-winning airline’s ongoing efforts to bolster its presence across the African continent. Airlink, which serves over 45 destinations in 15 African countries, will see its code-sharing partnership with Qatar Airways significantly enhanced through this acquisition.

This deal is set to accelerate Qatar Airways’ growth strategy in Africa, reinforcing its role as a vital contributor to the continent’s economic development.

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Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business’ future. This partnership not only showcases our confidence in Airlink as a resilient, agile, and financially robust company governed by sound principles but also in Africa as a whole. We are excited to help unlock the continent’s vast potential.”

Rodger Foster, Chief Executive of Airlink, welcomed the investment, noting its significance: “Having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and reinforces our belief in the markets we currently serve and those we plan to expand into.

This partnership will enhance our growth by creating efficiencies of scale, increasing our capacity, and expanding our marketing reach. It will also strengthen the existing airline partnerships that Airlink has developed over the years.”

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The new partnership will align the loyalty programs of both airlines, integrating Qatar Airways Privilege Club with Airlink Skybucks, thereby offering enhanced benefits to frequent flyers of both carriers.

Qatar Airways has been actively expanding its African network, currently operating flights to 29 destinations across the continent. Since December 2020, the airline has introduced new destinations including Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt, and resumed services to Cairo and Alexandria.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.