Airlink launches Cape Town-Zanzibar non-stop flight, adds 600kg weekly cargo capacity
By eliminating indirect routing via Dar es Salaam, the service reduces the risk of spoilage for temperature-sensitive cargo.
TANZANIA – Airlink will launch its first non-stop Cape Town-Zanzibar service on 3 October, operating weekly on Saturdays with its Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
The airline expects to have about 600kg available for cargo on both the Cape Town-Zanzibar and Johannesburg-Zanzibar services. The Cape Town service will be Airlink’s second route to Zanzibar, following the launch of its Johannesburg-Zanzibar service on 3 June.
Cargo Capacity and Economic Drivers
Airlink currently moves cargo for hospitality-sector customers in Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam. The new direct service eliminates the need for indirect routing, reducing transit times for perishable goods and industrial supplies.
“Besides its increasing popularity as a tourist destination, Zanzibar’s flourishing economy – driven by agriculture, manufacturing, marine services as well as offshore oil and gas exploration – is also seeing it emerge as a magnet for investors and business travellers,” the airline said.
The outbound flight will depart Cape Town at 08:15 and arrive in Zanzibar at 14:30. The return flight will depart Zanzibar at 15:30 and arrive in Cape Town at 20:50.
The 600kg belly-hold capacity per flight provides a reliable weekly airfreight option for high-value perishables such as seafood, spices, and horticultural products moving between South Africa and Zanzibar.
Regional Connectivity and Investment Support
The new service supplements Airlink’s existing Johannesburg-Zanzibar route, creating two direct air links between South Africa and the Zanzibar archipelago.
Beyond catering to the growing tourism industry, the flights provide dedicated cargo capacity to support Zanzibar’s diverse economic sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, marine services, and offshore oil and gas exploration.
For logistics investors and supply chain managers, this expansion addresses rising demand for both leisure travel and commercial trade within the region. The direct Cape Town connection offers businesses an alternative to routing cargo through Dar es Salaam, reducing handling points and potential delays for time-sensitive shipments.
Therefore, by eliminating indirect routing via Dar es Salaam, the service reduces the risk of spoilage for temperature-sensitive cargo. As Zanzibar’s agriculture, manufacturing, and marine services sectors continue to attract investors, reliable airfreight capacity will be essential for maintaining supply chain velocity.
This strategic move by Airlink positions the airline as a key logistics enabler for the island’s growing economy while offering forwarders a direct weekly option between the Western Cape and Zanzibar.
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