Ryanair requires South African passengers to prove their nationality before travelling by taking a test in Afrikaans, a language spoken by just 12% of the population and long associated with apartheid and the white minority.
Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers does not operate flights to and from South Africa.
However, the airline said all passengers from the country traveling to the UK should complete the “simple questionnaire” as there was a high prevalence of fraudulent South African passports.
“If they do not complete this questionnaire, they will be denied travel and will receive a full refund, an airline spokesperson said.
South Africa’s Home Office, which has warned unions selling fake passports, said it would issue a statement on Ryanair’s test.
It’s understood that fake passports are on the rise in the region.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.