Ndola just got a whole lot closer to Joburg

Johannesburg’s role as Southern Africa’s great connector just got a boost. From late March 2026, Airlink will increase flights between OR Tambo International Airport and Ndola in Zambia’s Copperbelt. 

The new timings are quietly game-changing for business travellers, frequent flyers, and anyone who prefers spending less time in transit and more time actually being somewhere.

The regional airline is adding a second flight on the Johannesburg–Ndola route three times a week, complementing its existing daily service. The highlight is the morning arrivals into Joburg from Ndola. These flights mean same-day meetings, smoother onward connections, and far fewer bleary-eyed hours at the airport.

For Joburgers, this reinforces what we already know: OR Tambo isn’t just South Africa’s busiest airport, it’s one of the most important gateways on the continent.

Ndola, Zambia’s third-largest city and the capital of the Copperbelt, has long been a hub for mining and industry. But it’s also fast becoming a central logistics and transport hub for the region, linking Zambia to the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond. The expanded schedule reflects growing movement between the two cities, driven by business, trade, and an increasing appetite for regional travel.

Supporting bleisure

Airlink’s additional service is clearly designed with productivity in mind. Morning arrivals into Johannesburg make it easier for travellers to get straight into meetings in Gauteng.

At the same time, the airline’s hub-and-spoke network at OR Tambo allows for easy onward connections to destinations across South Africa and the region, as well as long-haul flights via Airlink’s global airline partners.

At the same time, the new schedule quietly supports a growing travel trend: bleisure. With more flexible timings, travellers can stretch work trips into short breaks, whether that means an extra night in Joburg or a slower return home.

Flight info 

From 30 March 2026, Airlink will operate daily Johannesburg–Ndola flights, with additional services running three times a week. Aircraft on the route include Embraer E190 and ERJ135 jets, offering a mix of frequency and efficiency that suits both regular business flyers and occasional travellers.

For Johannesburg, the expansion is another reminder of the city’s central role in how Southern Africa moves, economically, culturally, and logistically. As regional cities like Ndola continue to grow, Joburg remains the place where those routes intersect.

Flights can be booked via Airlink’s website, mobile app, or through travel agents.

 *Flight 4Z 153 commences on 31 March 2026.

Also read: Airlink announces exciting changes to Nairobi–Johannesburg route

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