Airlink appoints new CEO as Rodger Foster prepares to step down
Airlink, the Southern African carrier, is set to undergo a change of leadership in the new year. Having led the airline for more than 30 years Rodger Foster (pictured right), the current CEO and Managing Director, has announced he is stepping down at the end of March.
De Villiers Engelbrecht, who is currently serving as the airline’s chief financial officer will take over from Foster in April 2025. Engelbrecht, who has been involved with Airlink for more than 20 years, is described by Foster as “widely respected in the industry.”
Foster also noted that Engelbrecht was instrumental in helping to steady Airlink in the face of existential threats to the company. These, he said included Airlink’s separation from South African Airways due to SAA’s business rescue, followed by the travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19. “He has hands-on exposure to all of the key elements that constitute the airline business and has the support of the entire executive team, the broader management as well as all our external stakeholders,” said Foster of his replacement.
Airlink’s origins
The airline was established in 1992 by Foster and his colleague Barrie Webb, when they acquired the assets and infrastructure of the illiquid Link Airways from its administrator. Established at a time when South Africa was undergoing a political transformation, Airlink’s arrival coincided with the deregulation of the country’s domestic airline industry, which allowed privately-owned carriers to compete with the state-owned national carrier.
The last four years have seen Airlink step into the gap in Southern Africa’s aviation market left by carriers such as SAA, Comair and Air Nambia. The airline has also restructured its fleet, which is now comprised solely of Embraer aircraft. It has 65 of the OEM’s jetliners, including ERJ135s, ERJ140s, E170s, E190s and E195s. In the 2024 financial year more than 4 million passengers travelled on over 85,000 Airlink flights.
Qatar’s stake
Further underlining Airlink’s rise in the Southern African aviation market and its strong balance sheet, Qatar Airways acquired a 25% stake in the carrier in August. The deal was part of Qatar Airways’ Africa growth strategy with the the airlline’s CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, saying: “Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business’ future. This partnership not only demonstrates our confidence in Airlink, as a company that is resilient, agile, financially robust and governed on sound principles, but also in Africa as a whole, showing huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising.”
The parternship with Qatar is one of several that Airlink has made in recent years. Since 2020 it has built “a constellation of commercial partnerships with many of the world’s leading airlines,” noted Foster.
Since 2020, the airline has forged commercial ties with 30 international carriers, incorporating 40 commercial agreements. These include interlining and codeshare partnerships, extending Airlink’s reach into global markets.
Describing his time at the helm of the airline as “exciting” and “rewarding”, but “at times very challenging,” Foster added it is “time to hand the flight controls to my successor.” When he steps down in March, he will leave Airlink as a “flourishing and resilient business”, for Engelbrecht to lead through its next chapter.
