Airfares soar for July

Return flight is over R6 000 with you likely to pay more if you haven't booked.

- Liesl Peyper

South Africans with last-minute plans to attend tomorrow's Hollywoodbets Durban July must be prepared to cough up more than R6 000 for a return flight - even during off-peak times.

The July is Africa's biggest horse race and the most prestigious occasion on Durban's social calendar. It attracts thousands of local and international visitors every year. Because of the popularity of the event, airfares have spiked.

Moneyweb compared compared the ticket prices of the five domestic airlines for flights between Johannesburg and Durban. The departure date is Friday, 5 July, and the return date is Sunday, 7 July.

Sky-high fares

Ticket prices are generally more affordable when passengers book flights weeks in advance. Those booked at the last minute can cost R2 500 more on a low-cost airline such as FlySafair.

SA Airways' most expensive return flight between Johannesburg and Durban.