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The Competition Commission is investigating six South African airlines for allegedly plotting to increase fares for local flights during this summer’s World Cup.

Airlink, Comair, Mango, SA Express, South African Airways and 1time are being investigated at the request of the 2010 co-ordinating unit in the president’s office, which said it had received public complaints that fares had become “drastically high”.

South African Airways has reportedly agreed to provide the Competition Commission with evidence against the other airlines, which are understood to have denied the allegations but said they would co-operate with the commission.

Many fans attending the World Cup, which takes place in June and July, are likely to fly between different venues around South Africa.

Zukile Nomvete, head of the president’s co-ordinating unit, is quoted as saying: "We hope the commission will resolve this matter to ensure that this does not prove detrimental to the tournament and to tourist attraction.”