Cargo Fine!!!
Federal Court fines Air France, KLM, Martinari and Cargolux $16 million for price-fixing cartel
Agence France-Presse
February 16, 2009 04:35pm
THE Federal Court has fined four Europe-based airlines a total of $16 million for price fixing, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said.
Air France and Dutch carrier KLM were fined $6 million each after they admitted fixing fuel surcharges in the air cargo market, the ACCC said.
Martinair of the Netherlands and Luxembourg-based Cargolux International were both fined $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.
The court also made orders restraining all four airlines from engaging in similar activities for five years.
The fines bring the total penalties levied on airlines in Australia for cartel behaviour to $41 million after Qantas was ordered to pay $20 million and British Airways $5 million last December.