A number of carriers that had not previously settled, are set to defend a multi-billion dollar class action in the US that they colluded to fix prices on international air freight services, after a New York court set a trial date for the claim to 8 January 2016. Air New Zealand, Air China Cargo, Air India and Polar Air Cargo and its parent Atlas Air Worldwide, failed in an application to end the claim on Monday after a hearing in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in … [Read more...] about Carriers set to defend cartel claims in US court
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Singapore Airlines Cargo loses Oz appeal
Australia’s Court unanimously dismissed an appeal by Singapore Airlines which sought to challenge the validity of compulsory investigation notices issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The notices required Singapore Airlines Cargo to produce documents and information as part of the ACCC's ongoing investigation into alleged international air cargo cartel activity. … [Read more...] about Singapore Airlines Cargo loses Oz appeal
Three more carriers nabbed for price fixing
Three more cargo carriers - Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines and Asiana Airlines - have agreed to pay criminal fines totalling US$214 million for their role in a global price fixing conspiracy. Additionally, Asiana was charged with fixing the passenger fares on flights from the US to Korea from as early as 2000. Cargolux will pay a fine of $119 million; Nippon Cargo, $45 million; and Asiana, $50 million. In addition, three senior air cargo industry executives agreed to serve jail terms. The … [Read more...] about Three more carriers nabbed for price fixing
US$94 million in fines for Japanese cartel
Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered Nippon Express and 11 other transport companies to pay over US$94 million in fines for what the competition watchdog sees as their collective attempt to fix international air cargo charges, Kyodo News reported. The FTC also issued an order to the companies to discontinue the practice and urged the Japan Aircargo Forwarders Association to prevent a recurrence of a similar act. The FTC believes the association served as a venue for consultations to … [Read more...] about US$94 million in fines for Japanese cartel
Air NZ takes Commission to court
Air New Zealand is taking the country’s Commerce Commission to court in a bid to counter its allegations that 13 airlines colluded in fixing prices in the air cargo market there. Air NZ has gone to the High Court to try to force the Commission to disclose any evidence it has against the airline, saying its own internal investigations have failed to uncover wrongdoing and that the Commission’s actions are impacting the carrier on many levels. "Despite extensive reviews of … [Read more...] about Air NZ takes Commission to court
Global cargo cartel fallout lands in Japan
Japan's Fair Trade Commission has notified more than 10 companies that they will be fined about ¥10 billion (US$103.2 million) for operating a cartel on international air cargo services. The FTC believes that the companies, including major distribution and logistics companies Nippon Express Co., Kintetsu World Express Inc. and Yusen Air & Sea Service Co., constrained fair competition by forming a cartel that added fuel surcharges and airport security charges to their air cargo service … [Read more...] about Global cargo cartel fallout lands in Japan