Airlink shifts fares to dollars – Here’s what it means for you
Airlink has introduced a new pricing change that could affect how South Africans see flight costs. Here's what's different.
If you’ve recently searched for an Airlink flight, you might have noticed something unusual.
The airline has made a significant change to how its ticket prices are structured, and it could affect how South Africans book and pay for flights.
Airlink makes pricing change
As of 2 April, Airlink has converted all fares originating from South Africa into US dollars.
This doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly start paying in dollars, but it does change how prices are calculated and displayed in booking systems.
The move is part of an international aviation rule known as IATA Resolution 024a, which aims to standardise how airlines handle pricing globally, Travel News reports.
For most customers, the change will be subtle. The base fare for flights will now be set in US dollars, but the final price you pay will still be shown in rand. This total is calculated using the daily exchange rate at the time of booking.
Taxes, fees and surcharges will also continue to be charged in rand.
Where it could affect you
While the overall booking process remains largely the same, there are a few areas where travellers might notice a difference.
Because the base fare is now linked to the dollar, ticket prices could fluctuate more often depending on exchange rate movements.
This means fares may change slightly from day to day, even if demand stays the same.
Another key difference comes when changing or reissuing tickets.
Any ticket changes will now be processed in US dollars, with the final rand amount calculated using the exchange rate on the day the change is made.
This could lead to price differences compared to the original booking, especially if the rand has weakened.
Airlink says the change is being introduced gradually and will be rolled out in phases across different markets over a three-week period.
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