Staff Writer
Airlink will launch the first non-stop route between Cape Town and Zanzibar in October 2026 using its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
Bookings for the route are now open. The weekly service will connect Cape Town directly to the Indian Ocean island, which is known for its beaches, resorts, marine life, spice trade history and the UNESCO-listed Stone Town.
The new route will become Airlink’s second service to Zanzibar following the launch of its Johannesburg-Zanzibar flights scheduled to begin on 03 June 2026.
Airlink said it will operate the route using its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which accommodates 124 passengers in a two-class cabin configuration.
The aircraft only has window and aisle seats, with no middle seats.
“The introduction of our new flagship aircraft, the E195-E2, with its innovative business class and comfortable economy seats, enables Airlink to bring destinations such as Zanzibar within convenient, non-stop reach of Cape Town, which is an important source market for travel to the island. Cape Town is also our second hub and a popular connecting point for long-haul, regional and local customers travelling with Airlink or any of our partner airlines from around the world,” said Airlink chief executive officer De Villiers Engelbrecht.
The flights will begin on 03 October 2026 and operate every Saturday. Flight time is expected to be just over six hours.
Airlink said the flight schedule avoids middle-of-the-night and pre-dawn departures and arrivals.
The airline said Zanzibar continues to grow in popularity among tourists and business travellers.
Besides tourism, the island’s economy is also supported by agriculture, manufacturing, marine services and offshore oil and gas exploration.
Airlink added that Zanzibar’s online electronic visa application system and visa-on-arrival option have also contributed to growing travel demand for the destination.
