SOUTH AFRICA – Airlink has launched a new direct service between Johannesburg and Zanzibar, marking a strategic expansion into one of East Africa’s fastest-growing tourism and investment destinations.
The Southern African carrier touched down in Zanzibar on 3 June, inaugurating a twice-weekly year-round route linking South Africa’s commercial hub with the Tanzanian archipelago. The airline says demand is already strong enough to justify additional seasonal capacity and a new direct service from Cape Town later this year.
The move reflects growing passenger flows between Southern Africa and East Africa, particularly as Zanzibar attracts increasing numbers of tourists, investors and business travellers.
“Besides becoming a tourist bucket-list destination, Zanzibar’s flourishing economy, which includes its traditional spice trade but also manufacturing, fishing, marine tourism and offshore oil and gas exploration, is an increasingly powerful magnet for investment and trade, which Airlink is well-placed to support,” said Airlink Chief Executive Officer de Villiers Engelbrecht.
Tourism demand drives expansion
Long known for its beaches, historic Stone Town, spice plantations and marine attractions, Zanzibar has emerged as one of Africa’s most sought-after leisure destinations.
The island’s accessibility has improved significantly in recent years, supported by airport upgrades, digital visa systems and growing international airline connectivity.
Airlink’s new service operates twice weekly between Johannesburg and Zanzibar using its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The airline will add a third weekly return flight between 15 December 2026 and 13 January 2027 to accommodate peak holiday travel demand.
The expansion does not stop there.
Airlink is scheduled to launch a non-stop Cape Town-Zanzibar service on 3 October 2026, creating a second direct gateway from South Africa to the island.
The carrier believes the combination of tourism demand and business travel will support sustained growth on the route.
Building regional connectivity
The new service also strengthens Airlink’s broader network strategy.
Johannesburg serves as the airline’s primary hub, connecting passengers to 48 destinations across 15 countries in Southern Africa and the wider region. The Zanzibar route is designed to feed into that network while also linking travellers to Airlink’s international airline partners.
For Zanzibar, the route offers easier access to South Africa’s largest outbound travel market as well as onward connections to destinations across the Southern African Development Community region.
Industry analysts have increasingly pointed to improved intra-African connectivity as a key driver of tourism growth, trade integration and business mobility across the continent.
Airlink says the schedule has been designed specifically to maximise connection opportunities for both leisure and corporate travellers.
New flagship aircraft take centre stage
The Zanzibar route is also notable for another reason.
It is the first international destination to be served by Airlink’s new Embraer E195-E2 fleet, the airline’s flagship aircraft.
The aircraft accommodates up to 136 passengers and forms part of Airlink’s broader fleet modernisation strategy focused on fuel efficiency, operational performance and passenger comfort.
The carrier currently operates a fleet of more than 70 jet aircraft and has steadily expanded its footprint across Southern Africa over the past decade.
Passengers on the new Zanzibar service receive complimentary meals and refreshments, while economy travellers benefit from free checked luggage allowances and an additional sporting equipment allowance.
The airline’s management views the route as more than a tourism play.
“We see growing opportunities to support trade, investment and business travel between Southern Africa and East Africa,” Engelbrecht said. “Zanzibar is increasingly important not only as a leisure destination but also as an economic hub attracting regional and international interest.”
As competition for African leisure and business travel markets intensifies, Airlink’s Zanzibar launch signals confidence in both the island’s growth prospects and the broader potential of intra-African air connectivity.