FlySafair under fire after overbooking of flights

FlySafair’s flights to Hoedspruit resumed this week. (Photo: Provided)

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has referred FlySafair to the national consumer tribunal over alleged breaches of the Consumer Protection Act.

The referral follows an investigation launched by the NPC, after concerns arose on social media about allegations that FlySafair flights are overbooked and that too many tickets are sold.

The case attracted attention, after a consumer apparently bought a ticket but was told on arrival that no seat was available because the flight was overbooked.

According to the NPC, several other consumers have lodged similar complaints about the airline. The airline has also apparently publicly acknowledged that overbooking forms part of its business practices.

FlySafair. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)

The NPC says its investigation found that FlySafair’s actions “violated several provisions of the Consumer Protection Act”.

According to the commission, these provisions deal, among other things, with the prohibition of the overselling of services, unfair and unreasonable contract terms, misleading representations, unscrupulous conduct, the failure to deliver services according to agreed conditions, and the failure to convey information to consumers in simple and understandable language.

The NPC did not indicate in the statement when the tribunal will hear the case.