South African regional and domestic airline Airlink announced on Friday that it would resume flights between Johannesburg, Gauteng, and Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on September 19.

This resumption of operations is because Richards Bay Airport is now again able to support scheduled airline services, after a break of 20 months.

“Richards Bay is vital to the economies of KwaZulu-Natal and the entire country,” pointed out Airlink CEO and MD Rodger Foster. “It’s viability and development depend on a fully-functioning and efficient transportation system, with air connectivity playing a key role in driving business and investment in the coal-terminus town and the industries it hosts. We are ready to welcome Richards Bay customers back onboard our flights and help reignite growth and economic activity in the area.”

Flights between the two places will be restored in a phased manner. September 19 will see a schedule of two flights daily, each way, implemented.

In the morning, these will be flight 4Z 881 from Johannesburg to Richards Bay, departing at 06:15, and arriving 07:45; and flight 4Z 882 from Richards Bay to Johannesburg, leaving 08:15 and arriving 09:45. These flights will be operated Mondays to Thursdays inclusive.

In the afternoon, they will be flight 4Z 885, departing Johannesburg at 15:30 and reaching Richards Bay at 17:00, and flight 4Z 886, leaving Richards Bay at 17:30 and arriving Johannesburg 19:05. These flights will be operated every day of the week, except Saturdays.

On September 22, flight 4Z 883 will be introduced, operating from Johannesburg to Richards Bay on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. This flight will depart at 11:00 and arrive in Richards Bay at 12:30. That day will also see the introduction of the return flight, 4Z 884, departing Richards Bay at 12:55 and arriving Johannesburg at 14:30. This will also operate on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Saturday flights will start on September 24, with the flight from Johannesburg coded 4Z 889 and leaving at 08:15, arriving Richards Bay 09:45. The return flight, 4Z 890, will leave Richards Bay at 10:15 and reach Johannesburg at 11:50.

October 31 will see the introduction of flight 4Z 883, operating from Johannesburg on (at first) Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, at 11:00, and arriving in Richards Bay at 12:30. Its counterpart return flight, 4Z 884, will depart at 12:55 and reach Johannesburg at 14:30. With effect from December 16, both flight 4Z 883 and 4Z 884 will operate every day of the week.

All Airlink’s flights between Johannesburg and Richards Bay and back will be operated using the airline’s Jetstream 41 aircraft. These are 29-seat twin turboprop airliners.