Thinking of flying Jozi to Cape Town and back during next year’s Fifa World Cup? Think again. The cost of a return air ticket could be more than R9 000 per adult.
While privately owned airlines and the tourism industry are set to make a killing from the 2010 Fifa World Cup, concerns have been raised about the high cost of air travel and the availability to locals of domestic air tickets.
The Mail & Guardian learned this week that Comair, operator of Kulula.com and British Airways in Southern Africa, is already selling domestic flight tickets for next year’s World Cup period at astronomical prices. Last week a source sent the M&G a Comair electronic quotation for a return flight between Johannesburg and Cape Town for R9 802.
Comair management claimed that the airline company has not yet finalised its pricing and scheduling for June and July 2010 and could not give a final indication of flight costs for the World Cup period.
This was because the draws for the group stages of the World Cup have not yet taken place. Comair said that after the draw on December 4, it will have a better idea of likely demand for local flights.
SAA and other independent airlines have decided they will not take bookings until the World Cup draw is finalised.
Said Comair spokesperson Heidi Brauer: ”When it comes to fares, the pricing structuring is dependent on supply and demand, which will be evident closer to the time. Hence it is difficult for Comair to forecast exactly what the prices will be in June 2010. However, we will act responsibly and will handle this rise in demand like any other peak period and not sell tickets at excessive prices.”
Comair boss Gidon Novick said though Comair is continuing to take bookings for next year’s World Cup, the high ticket prices are provisional. He said that even after the World Cup draw ticket prices will vary, based on the peak days.
”If you’re going to choose the busiest flights, then you’ll pay a higher price. But we’re saying to people: don’t book [your flights] now, rather wait until after the draw.”
SAA’s Vimla Maistry said the airline’s flights, on domestic routes during the World Cup will not be open for sale until December 4. ”We would first like to integrate information on where teams will be playing to provide customers with the most effective schedule come 2010.”
SAA is offering limited tickets on international and domestic routes in economy and business sections during the World Cup. Maistry encouraged passengers to make bookings immediately after the draw to avoid disappointment.
Last week SAA board chair Cheryl Carolus confirmed on Talk Radio 702 that domestic travel next year would be difficult and expensive and that would-be air travellers should make arrangements in time to avoid disappointment.
But Mosibudi Mangena, a member of Parliament’s public enterprises committee, said this week high air travel costs during the World Cup were unnecessary. Increasing the frequency of flights made better sense, Mangena said.
Robyn Christie of the Association of South African Travel Agencies, said big business should realise the potential damage to tourism and that 2010 should not be used to milk visitors.