SAA applies for another exemption in respect of Australian routes

South African Airways (SAA) has applied to the Competition Commission (Commission) for an exemption from the Competition Act for its code share agreement with Qantas Airways (Qantas) 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 SAA and Qantas to:

  • co-ordinate their activities in respect of routes between South Africa and Australia;
  • allocate the route between Johannesburg and Perth to SAA, and the route between 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 period of three years, commencing on 1 January 2013 and ending on 31 December 2015.

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