Air France group settles price-fixing case

Air France group settles price-fixing case    Air France/KLM and affiliated air cargo operator Martinair have agreed to settle a U.S. price-fixing suit brought by freight forwarders for $87 million, the plaintiffs' attorneys announced.
   The money will be available to satisfy claims for those who directly purchased air freight shipping services to, from, or within the United States from Jan. 1, 2000 through Sept. 11, 2006. The money will go into a settlement fund to satisfy claims from Air France/KLM or any other defendant in the wide-ranging antitrust litigation.
   U.S. and European authorities investigated dozens of airlines for antitrust violations in recent years.
   Lufthansa had agreed to provide $85 million to settle similar complaints, but in that case indirect purchasers of transportation are eligible to file claims for damages.