Airlink and SAA are working together on a practical solution that would enable the smooth revalidation and re-accommodation of tickets and vouchers issued by SAA for travel on future Airlink flights, Airlink said in a statement.
In January, the airlines agreed to replace their long-standing franchise arrangement with an interline agreement to enable 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 vouchers for travel on SAA flights on future dates in lieu of refunds,” Airlink says.
“As Airlink intends to recommence operations after the lockdown 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.”
In terms of the franchise relationship, 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,” the airline says.
Airlink says both airlines are working 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”.
