Uganda Airlines and Airlink Join Forces to Enhance African Travel Connectivity

Uganda Airlines has further enhanced continental connectivity by establishing a new interline agreement with Airlink, a top privately owned regional airline in Southern Africa. Announced on 24 November 2025, this partnership offers travellers throughout East and Southern Africa a more seamless and integrated travel experience by connecting Uganda Airlines’ hub in Entebbe with Airlink’s extensive network through Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).

For both airlines, the agreement signifies a mutual dedication to streamlining travel within Africa, an area historically limited by disjointed networks and complicated booking procedures. For passengers, this means increased convenience, time savings and significantly more options.

The interline partnership allows travellers leaving from Entebbe (EBB) to purchase a single ticket to over 45 destinations within Airlink's network. This includes major South African cities like Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and Bloemfontein, as well as popular regional routes such as Victoria Falls, Windhoek, Maputo, Gaborone, Maseru, and Antananarivo.

According to the agreement, passengers will benefit from full through-check-in, allowing baggage to be automatically transferred between flights. This eliminates the need to collect luggage in Johannesburg or wait in line for multiple check-ins, a particularly beneficial change for business travellers with tight schedules, families moving through busy hubs, and tourists connecting to safari or beach destinations.

For Airlink travellers, this partnership provides easy access to Uganda Airlines' growing network across East and Central Africa. Entebbe's strategic position on the shores of Lake Victoria has long established it as a natural entry point to the region, and the national airline is gradually establishing itself as a significant force in Africa's aviation sector.

Uganda Airlines states that the interline agreement directly aligns with its broader mission to facilitate simpler and more efficient travel across Africa. Chief Commercial Officer Adedayo Olawuyi highlighted the partnership as a significant milestone in the airline's connectivity strategy. “We are excited to partner with Airlink, a respected airline known for its extensive regional network,” Olawuyi said. “This interline agreement is a significant step in our aspirations of making intra-African travel easier. It provides our customers with unparalleled convenience and choice when travelling to key destinations across Southern Africa, all on a single ticket.”

For Airlink, the collaboration enhances its continuous efforts to strengthen Africa's air transport integration. Renowned for its dependability and extensive regional reach, the airline operates more destinations within Southern Africa than any other carrier. Airlink Chief Commercial Officer Katherine Whelan stressed that the agreement opens meaningful new opportunities for travellers and businesses alike. “This partnership with Uganda Airlines strengthens our commitment to connecting Africa. It opens up a vital gateway in East Africa for our customers, and, in turn, provides Ugandan travellers with efficient and direct access to Southern Africa’s key economic and tourism centres. It’s a win-win for both airlines and our customers,” Whelan said.

As cross-border tourism increases and regional trade initiatives advance, efficient travel options are becoming more crucial. Uganda and South Africa have significant historical, commercial and tourism connections and the new interline agreement is anticipated to foster growth in various sectors, including agriculture, mining, conferences, education and wildlife tourism.

The agreement provides practical advantages that extend beyond mere customer convenience. It boosts operational efficiency, optimises the use of aircraft, and enables coordinated scheduling, leading to shorter layovers and better connectivity at Johannesburg. Interline arrangements, which support closer integration, are a well-known step towards more extensive partnerships such as codeshares. Although neither airline has announced plans for this, the possibility exists.

For Uganda Airlines, which presently operates flights to 17 African destinations and intends to extend its reach to Asia, the Middle East and Europe, the agreement enhances its competitive edge as it builds a hub-and-spoke model centred on Entebbe. Concurrently, Airlink solidifies its position as the top feeder carrier in the region, effectively linking smaller cities to key African hubs.

Since beginning commercial operations in 2019, Uganda Airlines has steadily gained recognition. The airline is proud to have one of the youngest fleets globally. With modern CRJ900s and Airbus A330-800neos, the airline provides efficient and environmentally conscious service while aiming to expand its presence across Africa. With robust growth strategies, a modern fleet and strategic alliances like the partnership with Airlink, Uganda Airlines is establishing itself as a key connector in Africa's rapidly evolving aviation network.

For travellers, whether journeying from Entebbe to a business meeting in Cape Town or from Durban to a safari adventure in Uganda, the agreement offers something that has long been out of reach: genuine convenience when flying across Africa.