RESPONSE FROM AIRLINK: HANTAVIRUS @Fly_Airlink operated flight 4Z 132 from St Helena Island to Johannesburg on 25th April 2026. There were 82 passengers and 6 crew onboard. On Sunday 02 May 2026, Airlink was notified by South Africa’s public health authorities that a passenger who had flown on the flight had passed away after she arrived in Johannesburg and that her death was attributed to the rare Hantavirus. At the time when the flight was operated Airlink was unaware that any of the passengers were unwell. In accordance with health protocols, Airlink provided the Dept of Health with the passenger manifest for contact tracing. The manifest included the names, contact details and seating allocation of the passengers and crew. Airlink is also contacting passengers who were on that flight and advising them to contact South Africa’s Department of Health, if they have not yet already been contacted by the Department. The safety and wellbeing of our customers, personnel and equipment is Airlink’s priority. Airlink operates, maintains and services - including cleaning - its aircraft in strict accordance with pertinent public health and aviation regulations and requirements. Airlink’s fleet of Embraer aircraft are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate (HEPA) air filters, similar to those used in hospital operating surgical theatres, which repeatedly scrub the cabin air clean.
