press statement: released by sa airlink (pty) ltd
SA Airlink Chief Executive, Rodger Foster, has reacted with dismay to the announcement earlier today that the Competition Commission is investigating alleged collusive behaviour among all local airlines relating to pricing strategies for local flights during and around the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Foster has stated that SA Airlink has not participated in any such discussions. Foster explained that in November of 2009, an e-mail was sent by a Comair employee raising the issue of coordinating pricing strategies ahead of the World Cup, and the e-mail was sent to members of the Airline Sub-Working Group (an industry body dealing with FIFA 2010 World Cup air transport arrangements, convened by the Department of Transport, of which SA Airlink and other local airlines are participants). An SA Airlink employee did receive the e-mail but did not respond to it and SA Airlink did not seek to involve itself in the collusive conduct unilaterally suggested by another airline.
SA Airlink is committed to complying with the provisions of the Competition Act, and would not be tolerant of collusive activities in its organisation, said Foster. "We fully intend to determine our own pricing strategies for flights that will take place during the World Cup, and we will do that without any form of coordination with our competitors."
Media Contact
Karin Murray
Tel: 27 11 451 7335
Email: karinmurray@flyairlink.com
Website: www.flyairlink.com