EAA Chapter 322's hosting Airlink's Rodger Foster 06.06.206
By Willie Bodenstein
06.06.2026
Google Banner Ad
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 322 welcomed one of South Africa's most respected aviation personalities as guest speaker at its monthly meeting held at the chapter's auditorium at Rand Airport on Saturday.
Early arrivals at the Auditorium
Some more visitors and the recently refurbished old bar area
Lebombo, parked next to Auditorium and still looking good. Let's hope that she will find a more appropriate home
The guest speaker was Rodger Foster, the former Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Airlink, whose remarkable journey from entrepreneur and pilot to airline industry leader has become one of South African aviation's great success stories.
Interviewed by the EAA's Captain Karl Jensen for many in attendance, the opportunity to hear first-hand from a man who helped build one of Africa's most successful regional airlines was a rare privilege.
Rodger on the left and Karl on the right during the interview
The auditorium, despite whats shown in this early photo, was packed
Rodger is no stranger to general aviation and remains an enthusiastic pilot. Over the years he has flown a wide variety of aircraft, including his beautiful de Havilland Tiger Moth, restored to pristine condition by fellow EAA member Kevin Hopper.
In the South African aviation industry, where airlines and CEOs often come and go, Rodger Foster stands apart. After spending 33 years at the helm of Airlink, the airline he co-founded with Barrie Webb, Rodger handed over the controls at the end of March 2026. While stepping down from the day-to-day management of the airline, he remains closely involved as a shareholder and non-executive director.
Before entering the airline industry, Rodger was involved in the industrial contracting business, constructing warehouses and industrial facilities with his business partner Barrie Webb. A commercially licensed pilot with a degree in architecture, Rodger frequently used aircraft to reach remote locations where conventional travel was time-consuming and inefficient.
Flying to destinations such as Upington and other outlying centres opened his eyes to the enormous potential of regional air transport in Southern Africa. What began as a practical business tool soon revealed opportunities far beyond the construction industry.
That vision eventually led to the founding of Airlink in June 1992 when he and Barry acquired the assets and infrastructure of the insolvent Link Airways from its administrator. From those modest beginnings, the pair set out to build an airline focused on connecting communities and economies that were often overlooked by larger carriers.
Operations commenced with a small fleet of commuter aircraft operating from Johannesburg's International Airport, now known as OR Tambo International Airport. Initial destinations included Pietersburg (now Polokwane), Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit (now Mbombela) and Maseru in Lesotho.
From those early routes, Airlink steadily expanded its network and reputation. Through a combination of disciplined management, strategic partnerships and a commitment to reliable service, the airline grew into one of Africa's leading regional carriers.
Today Airlink operates more than 65 Embraer regional jets serving over 50 destinations in 15 African countries, including St Helena Island, one of the world's most remote inhabited islands. The airline has established itself as Africa's largest privately owned airline by fleet size and ranks among the continent's most significant carriers.
During the financial year ending August 2024, Airlink carried more than four million passengers on approximately 85 000 flights, a remarkable achievement considering the airline's humble beginnings three decades earlier.
Speaking to members, Rodger emphasised that Airlink's success is ultimately about people. The airline directly supports approximately 2 700 employees and their families, while creating economic opportunities for thousands more through tourism, hospitality, logistics and other industries that depend on regional air connectivity.
He noted that Airlink now operates approximately 83 000 flights annually with a fleet of 67 aircraft, supported by what he described as a robust balance sheet and a strong operational foundation. Despite the numerous challenges faced by the aviation industry over the years including economic downturns, regulatory changes and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline has remained resilient and continued to grow.
Rodger's presentation provided fascinating insights into the realities of airline management, the importance of regional connectivity and the role aviation plays in supporting economic development across Southern Africa. His passion for flying, combined with his practical business approach, was evident throughout the presentation.
The morning concluded with a question-and-answer session during which members engaged with Rodger on a variety of topics ranging from airline operations and fleet planning to the future of aviation in South Africa and Africa as a whole.
For EAA Chapter 322 members and guests, the opportunity to hear from one of South Africa's most successful aviation entrepreneurs made for a memorable and highly informative gathering.
Tedderfield Camping and Breakfast Fly In 8 Nov 2025 398
