Japan Air Lines and Air New Zealand are the latest airlines to face prosecution from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s long running investigation into air freight surcharges.
Both airlines are accused of entering into arrangements with other carriers regarding fuel and security surcharges on air cargo between 2002 and 2006. Both carriers are accused of colluding on the surcharges on services in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, with the ACCC launching court action seeking declarations, injunctive relief, pecuniary penalties, and costs. A directions hearing in the Federal Court in Sydney has been set down for June 10.
The ACCC has now taken action against 15 airlines as a result of its investigations into the fuel and security surcharges, with a number including Qantas and British Airways reaching agreed settlements with the Commission out of court.
