SOUTH African domestic carrier SA Air Link plans to purchase new planes as part of its fleet expansion programme. SA Air Link Chief Executive Rodger Foster said the airline has already shortlisted Embraer of Brazil, Canadian Bombardier and US-German manufacturer Fairchild Dornier as possible suppliers. Foster said the main spur for the fleet expansion was the gap in the regional market created by the withdrawal of major airlines following the political turmoil that swept through neighbouring Zimbabwe. SA Air Link currently operates 16 Jetstream jets with seating capacity for 29. It is a private airline, in which South African Airways has a 10% stake. – Reuters