Zanzibar – Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier airline, touched down in Zanzibar today inaugurating its new year-round, twice-a-week, return service from Johannesburg.
The legendary Tanzanian island in the Indian Ocean is famous for its history, culture, spices, beaches, forest and marine life and resorts. These have made Zanzibar an increasingly popular destination for tourists from around the world, including South Africa. So much so that Airlink will add a third weekly return flight on the route from 15 December 2026 to 13 January 2027 for the peak summer holiday season. These are in addition to an entirely new non-stop service between Cape Town and Zanzibar, launching on 03 October 2026.
The welcome reception group was led by the Dr Aboud Suleiman Jumbe, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism & Heritage of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar accompanied by Her Excellency, Noluthando Mayende-Malepe, South Africa’s High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania
“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 de Villiers Engelbrecht, Airlink CEO.
Zanzibar’s proximity to Johannesburg, Airlink’s main hub, puts the island within reach of customers based in the greater Gauteng area. The convenient timing of the flights allows for easy connections with Airlink’s network of 48 destinations in 15 countries across South Africa and the SADC region. Similarly, they provide easy connections for customers travelling between Zanzibar and the rest of the world through Airlink’s inter-continental partner airline network.
The adoption of an efficient, new online electronic visa application system and the alternative option of obtaining visas on arrival, are also contributing to Zanzibar’s popularity.
Zanzibar is also the first international destination for Airlink’s brand new, state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 flagship passenger jets. These modern, fuel-efficient aircraft accommodate up to 136 passengers in comfortable seats with generous leg-room and a choice of either aisle or window seats – Airlink aircraft do not have middle seats.
Onboard, customers receive complimentary meals and refreshments. Airlink customers also benefit from a free 15kg sporting equipment allowance in addition to 20kg free checked luggage for discounted economy class tickets, and 30kg checked luggage for full-fare economy travellers.
From today, Airlink flights between Johannesburg (JNB) and Zanzibar (ZNZ) will operate twice-weekly at the following times:
Flight No
Weekday
Aircraft
Dep
Time
Arr
Time
4Z 010
Wed, Sun
E195-E2
JNB
12.00
ZNZ
16.35
4Z 011
Mon, Thu
E195-E2
ZNZ
12.00
JNB
14.55
Between 15 December 2026 and 13 January 2027, additional weekly flights will operate at these times:
Airlink was established in 1992 and is Southern Africa’s premier, privately-owned regional airline. Its fleet of over 70 modern jetliners serves these cities and other destinations throughout Southern Africa and St Helena Island. Airlink offers worldwide connections through its partners, which include many trusted and well-known inter-continental brands, and its FlyNamibia franchise.
Airlink’s innovative “Skybucks” frequent flyer programme rewards its loyal customers. Skybucks is also partnered with Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club progamme.
Airlink is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) member, accredited under its IOSA safety audit programme, and certified through the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Organisation.
