South African Competition Commission raids offices of South African Airways, Mango and AASA

South African Competition Commission confirmed it conducted raids on the offices of South African Airways (SAA) and its LCC subsidiary, Mango, on 31-Mar-2010, as part of its investigation into airline collusion during the travel period around the FIFA World Cup (AFP/Moneyweb, 06-Apr-2010). Also raided were the offices of the Airlines Association of South Africa (AASA). The Commission stated it suspects SAA and Mango of withholding information that may have a bearing on the investigation. SAA and partners, SA Airlink and SA Express, had earlier denied any price collusion with other carriers during the World Cup period. Other airlines also under investigation are British Airways and local partner, Comair, as well as LCC 1Time.

South African Competition Commission: "The searches form part of the Commission's investigation into collusion in the airlines industry around the soccer World Cup period. We were prompted by the Commission's suspicion South African Airways and Mango might have withheld information having a bearing on the investigation. During the search, the commission seized documents and electronic data, which will now be analysed together with other information gathered to determine whether a contravention of the Competition Act has taken place," Competition Commission statement, 06-Apr-2010.