Airlink resumes flights to Moshoeshoe I Airport  

MATHATISI SEBUSI

MASERU – South Africa-based privately-owned regional airline, Airlink, will resume scheduled daily air services between the neighbouring republic and Moshoeshoe I International Airport in Maseru.

The flights between Maseru and Johannesburg will commence beginning March 29, after several weeks following the government’s prohibition of all international, regional and domestic flights to and from Lesotho on January 14 as one of the country’s measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 infections.

This follows the re-opening of Lesotho’s borders and the lifting of travel restrictions that curtailed travel between the countries, while the two neighbouring ations both worked to successfully contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro announced a total lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19 infection to curb a surge in new infections and deaths beginning mid-December 2020.

Under the Risk Mitigation colour code Red stage the country was put under at the time, all non-essential services were suspended, while those declared vital during this time were allowed to operate in line with set World Health Organisation (WHO) and health ministry Covid-19 safety precautionary measures.

Movement across borders was also banned, except for essential goods and services, migrant workers, medical reasons (with permits) and funerals of close family members.

According to the Government Gazette, Public Health (Covid 19) Risk Determination and Mitigation Measures Regulations of 2021, only essential services and their delivery were allowed during total lockdown.

“After a disruption of several weeks, Airlink is looking forward to welcoming customers onto its flights that provide vital connections supporting trade, business, tourism and family ties between south Africa and the Mountain Kingdom,” said Airlink CEO, Rodger Foster, in a statement on Monday this week.

“Our daily return flights between the two cities provide travellers with seamless connectivity with Airlink’s comprehensive network that links South African domestic and Southern African regional destinations,” the airline said.

Airlink regretted the suspension at the time, indicating, however, that they respected the decision to temporarily halt passenger flights to Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Lesotho’s primary air transport gateway.

They apologised to their customers for the inconvenience and disruption to their business that this would cause.

“The well-being  of our customers, crew and staff is our priority. Although we are required to suspend our Maseru flight, we continue to operate all of our other flights to destinations throughout southern Africa and within South Africa.

“By diligently applying and adhering to stringent bio-security protocols, we have demonstrated that flying is the safest way to travel and that we can continue to support and enable business, tourism and trade without spreading the Coronavirus,” said the airline.

“Airlink is looking forward to re-establishing the vital connections that sustain the all-important trade, business, tourism and family ties between the mountain kingdom and its neighbour.”

Flight schedule

Johannesburg – Maseru (from March 29)

Flight 4z 053, will depart Johannesburg daily at 0935hrs arriving in Maseru at 1035hrs.

Flight 4z 052 will depart Maseru at 1100hrs arriving in Johannesburg at 1205hrs.

Airlink intends to add more flights to the schedule in accordance with demand.