South Africa probes World Cup fare collusion
CAPE TOWN – The Competition Commission of South Africa is reported to have launched an investigation into collusion on fares and pricing strategies for flights during this summer’s World Cup.
It named British Airways and its Comair subsidiary, South African Airways, Airlink, SA Express, 1Time and Mango as subjects of the inquiry.
The Commission said the office of President Jacob Zuma issued a November request asking it to look into World Cup airfares.
Last month, SAA applied for leniency from prosecution in exchange for full cooperation and provided the Commission with “e-mail correspondence between the airlines in which there are indications that the airlines might adjust airfares ahead of the World Cupâ€.
The Commission said, “In particular, the e-mail suggests that since there is no indication as to which flights will represent peak demand flights, airlines have the option to either not provide any inventory for sale until such time, or price all inventory at peak time rates until such time as they have greater certainty.”
It added that the e-mail “suggests that airfares will have to be raised in order to cover various anticipated additional costsâ€.
Commissioner Shan Ramburuth said the body “is obliged to investigate all legitimate complaints” concerning anticompetitive conduct and that if it identifies wrongdoing it will refer to the case to the Competition Tribunal for a hearing.
The World Cup tournament runs June 11-July 11 in nine South African cities.
Source: ATW Online.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025