South Africa's Government is considering steps to address airline pricing policies in the country, in the wake of concerns over fare-setting ahead of the World Cup football tournament.
Trade and industry minister Rob Davies is set to make a statement over the issue within a few days, following queries as to whether current airline pricing practices break consumer protection legislation.
South Africa's competition authority is already investigating evidence of a possible attempt at price-fixing between the country's airlines.
Tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has since stoked the row by criticising pricing policies.
"It is time for our Government to get to the bottom of the amorphous taxes, fees and levies that are being charged on airline tickets," he says.
"I consider the lack of transparency in airline pricing structures a barrier to our goals."
The tourism ministry argues that passengers face difficulty comparing fares owing to lack of clarity on composition and inconsistency regarding cancellations.
Van Schalkwyk says the result is a "direct and negative impact" on South African competitiveness in the tourism sector.
He says that airline pricing should be investigated to determine whether any "unfair practices" are apparent.
Both the tourism and trade ministries feel that pricing policies are potentially in breach of consumer legislation, he says, adding that the trade ministry is to make a further statement on the situation in a few days.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
