November 22 2012

SAA applies for another exemption in respect of Australian routes

Webber Wentzel | Competition & Antitrust - South Africa

Martin Versfeld


South African Airways (SAA) has applied to the Competition Commission for an exemption from the Competition Act for its code share agreement with Qantas Airways on operational routes between South Africa and Australia. The commission has previously exempted an agreement between the two parties.

SAA has sought the exemption in order to enable itself and Qantas to:

  • coordinate activities in respect of routes between South Africa and Australia;
  • allocate the routes between:
    • Johannesburg and Perth to SAA; and
    • Johannesburg and Sydney to Qantas; and
  • acquire blocks of seats, in various classes, on each other's aircraft.

The exemption, if approved, will last for a three-year period, commencing on January 1 2013 and ending on December 31 2015.

For further information on this topic please contact Martin Versfeld at Webber Wentzel by telephone (+27 11 530 5000), fax (+27 11 530 5111) or email ([email protected]).