South African regional airline Airlink is set to apply to the country’s Competition Commission for approval to merge its business with Safair.

If approved, the combined business will operate under the Airlink Group.

The proposal will also see Airlink, as well as Safair’s low-cost carrier FlySafair and its other businesses such as humanitarian aid flights, continue to operate separately under their respective brands.

“Airlink’s acquisition of Safair, which is financially robust and profitable, makes good business sense.”

Both airlines will retain their products, aircraft fleets, management and leadership teams, in addition to the existing workforces.

Safair shareholder ASL Aviation Holdings will also become a minority shareholder in Airlink Group.

Airlink CEO and managing director Rodger Foster said: “Airlink’s acquisition of Safair, which is financially robust and profitable, makes good business sense.

“It presents opportunities to reduce our combined costs, position ourselves for growth while at the same time increasing connectivity and choice while making air travel accessible and affordable for our customers across southern Africa.

“Our combined networks will enable us to connect 37 destinations in nine Southern African and Indian Ocean countries and St. Helena.  This will stimulate and enable trade, tourism, economic growth and social development in those markets we serve.”

Airlink expects to receive its final determination from the South African Competition Commission by the first quarter of next year.

Following the approval of the new ownership structure, Airlink also expects to continue to meet or exceed the country’s broad-based black economic empowerment targets.