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Airlink working on ticket revalidation and booking re-accommodation solution

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Airlink and South African Airways (SAA) are working together on a practical solution that will enable the smooth revalidation and re-accommodation of tickets and vouchers issued by SAA for travel on future Airlink flights,  as soon as scheduled passenger services resume after the t COVID-19 lockdown.

In January, Airlink and SAA agreed to replace their long-standing franchise arrangement with an interline agreement, thereby enabling Airlink to accept tickets issued by SAA bearing the “083” prefix for travel on flights operated by Airlink. However, the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 crisis has compelled SAA to reassess and amend their respective refund policy. In this regard, SAA is currently providing affected ticket-holders with credit for travel on SAA flights on future dates in lieu of refunds. 

As Airlink intends to recommence operations using its own “4Z” ticket code and flight number prefix, it is currently unable to accept SAA-issued vouchers or tickets bearing the “083” prefix. 

Understandably, these changes, and the confusion arising from them, have caused concern and upset, for which we offer our sincere apologies.

It is important for Airlink customers to be aware that in terms of Airlink’s franchise relationship with SAA (now discontinued), ticket sale revenue resides with SAA for all 083 SA8 tickets until such time as Airlink has delivered the flight service. Airlink cannot refund tickets as the ticket sale revenue is in SAA’s possession.

Therefore, teams from both airlines are working together to develop a clear and transparent solution that will permit the re-accommodation or revalidation of SAA-issued “083” tickets on Airlink flights into Airlink’s “4Z” reservation system or alternatively for Airlink to issue vouchers for travel on Airlink on future dates.

We will provide further information as soon as everything is in place.

The impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry is unprecedented and unpredictable. The nature of the content that is being shared on the ASATA coronavirus microsite is therefore constantly changing. Please check the date of the post to ascertain its recency.
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