The 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee's chief executive officer, Danny Jordaan, will investigate reports that airlines have hiked internal flight prices for the duration of the World Cup, he said on Thursday.

When asked if it was true that airlines had increased their ticket prices Jordaan said: "I know the same as you and the public from what I have read in the media. Officially we as the LOC have not been informed."

Jordaan said that it was not in the spirit of the World Cup to increase prices.

It was reported that a trip to Cape Town from Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport could cost more than a flight to London.

"One of the big pluses behind staging the World Cup in South Africa was because it was cost effective and that flights were reasonably priced," Jordaan said.

"I am concerned about the reports and I will investigate them. It is not right to increase flights for the World Cup. But I need the facts before making further comment."

? Read our EXCLUSIVE report on airline price hikes