Collusion probed

29 January 2010 - 02:00
By unknown

THE Competition Commission is investigating more price fixing - this time by airlines colluding on ticket prices for flights during the World Cup.

THE Competition Commission is investigating more price fixing - this time by airlines colluding on ticket prices for flights during the World Cup.

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has repeatedly called on hotels and guesthouses not to hike their prices during the soccer event.

He wants tourists to spread the word after the World Cup that South Africa is an affordable holiday destination.

But yesterday competition commissioner Shan Ramburuth said BA/Comair, South African Airways (SAA), 1Time, SA Airlink, Mango and SA Express were allegedly colluding on prices to be adopted during the World Cup.

According to the commission's Keitumetse Letebele, SAA has turned "state witness" and will cooperate with the investigation in exchange for leniency from prosecution under the Competition Act.