Source: AFP Author: 02/16/2009
Subject Concerned: Airlines Cargo Aviation Fuel
An Australian court has fined three Europe-based airlines a total of AU$16 million (US$10.4 million) for price fixing, the country's competition watchdog said on Feb. 16.
The Federal Court fined Air France-KLM AU$6 million after it admitted fixing fuel surcharges in the air cargo market, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said.
It said Martinair of the Netherlands and Luxembourg-based Cargolux International were both fined AU$5 million after making similar admissions.
"This matter sends a clear message to those involved in cartel behaviour - the ACCC will not stop its endeavours to identify and bring to an end illegal price-fixing conduct," commission chairman Graeme Samuel said in a statement.
The court also made orders restraining the airlines from engaging in similar activities for five years.
The fines bring the total penalties levied on airlines in Australia for cartel behaviour to AU$41 million after national carrier Qantas was ordered to pay AU$20 million and British Airways AU$5 million last December.
The ACCC said investigations against other airlines were ongoing. It did not name the airlines being targeted.