Airlink, South Africa's largest independent regional airline, will now operate direct flights from the Mozambican capital Maputo to Cape Town in South Africa, the company said in a statement..

"Airlink is responding to the call from the travel market for a direct service between the two coastal cities, which are also growing as important centers of economic activity, including trade and tourism," said Rodger Foster, the company's chief executive officer, quoted by the national press yesterday.

The connection will be made using a 37-seat Embraer 135 aircraft, three times a week, in an operation scheduled to start in the last week of August.

"By flying direct we will halve the travel time, which means more time available to our customers to do business and enjoy the variety of activities and attractions Maputo offers, such as, cuisine and culture," Foster added.

Airlink carries more passengers to cities and regional centers (in Africa) than any other local airline, with the passenger profile being 30% leisure and 70% business.

The company operates in 36 destinations in nine African countries.

Note that the airline currently carries more than 1.3 million passengers on 44,800 flights a year and has shown growth since its inception.