ARTICLE
13 August 2012

Singapore Airlines Pays ZAR25.1 Million Fine For Its Participation In Cartel Dealings

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The Competition Commission (Commission) brought an application to the Tribunal to confirm a settlement agreement entered into with Singapore Airlines.
South Africa Antitrust/Competition Law

The Competition Commission (Commission) brought an application to the Tribunal to confirm a settlement agreement entered into with Singapore Airlines.

On 16 January 2008, the Commission initiated an investigation against South African Airways (SAA), Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines for their involvement with Cathay Pacific in a cartel to fix airfare increases on flights from South Africa to Far East Asia.

The Commission found that in engaging in market fare discussions, Singapore Airlines contravened the Competition Act as its local representative relied on the content of the discussions to determine fares for flights out of South Africa to South East Asia, Hong Kong and China.

In its settlement with the Commission, Singapore Airlines admitted that it engaged in market fare discussions with SAA, Malaysian Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Singapore Airlines has agreed to pay an administrative penalty of ZAR25 106 692, which represents 7.5% of its 2009 annual turnover out of South Africa, and has further agreed to incorporate corporate governance in its competition law compliance programme to ensure that no employee, manager or director engages in any contraventions of the Competition Act.

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