Private-sector South African regional and domestic airline Airlink has announced that its CEO and MD, Rodger Foster, will step down at the end of next March. He will, however, remain a shareholder in the carrier and will remain a non-executive director. Foster has headed the operator for almost 33 years, since it was founded in 1992. Indeed, he was one of the co-founders of Airlink (the other being Barrie Webb). 

“It has been a privilege to have led Airlink through what has been an exciting, at times very challenging, but ultimately a rewarding and fulfilling journey,” affirmed Foster. “However, after more than three decades in the post, it is time to hand over the flight controls to my successor and our Chief Financial Officer, De Villiers Engelbrecht.”

Engelbrecht worked with Foster to successfully navigate the airline through two existential crises that it faced. The first of these was the need to separate Airlink from State-owned national flag carrier, South African Airways, due to the latter’s financial crisis and subsequent business rescue. The second came shortly afterwards: the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated travel restrictions, which halted all air traffic.

Foster assured that his successor, who would become CEO on April 1 next year, had “hands-on exposure” to all the key aspects of the airline business. Engelbrecht also had the support of the company’s executive team, wider management and its external stakeholders.

“Airlink is a flourishing and resilient business,” highlighted Foster. “It has a strong balance sheet that has been bolstered by an equity injection from Qatar Airways Group’s acquisition of a 25% stake in the company. Since 2020 Airlink has built a constellation of commercial partnerships with many of the world’s leading airlines. None of this would have been possible without the tireless support of the entire dedicated, diligent and professional Airlink team who it has been my privilege to lead.”

Airlink today has a fleet of more than 65 modern Embraer jet airliners. During the financial year which ended on August 31 this year, it flew more than 4-million passengers on more than 85 000 flights, to 50 destinations in 15 countries.