Australia air cargo price-fixing probe catches Emirates

Australia air cargo price-fixing probe catches Emirates    The Australia Competition and Consumer Commission this week laid charges against Emirates Airlines for alleged air cargo price-fixing.
   The charges widen the scope of an investigation that has already netted multi-million dollar fines for Qantas, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Martinair and Cargolux. Additionally, cases against Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are still being heard, said a report this week by Agence France-Presse.
   The ACCC alleges the Dubai-based carrier colluded with other airlines to fix cargo rates between 2002 and 2006.
   “Emirates entered into arrangements or understandings with other international air cargo carriers that had the purpose and effect of fixing the price of certain fuel surcharges, security surcharges and rates,” the commission said in a statement. “The ACCC alleges that the arrangements or understandings were reached in countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and India.”
   Emirates has denied the allegations and said it would defend its position in court, according to AFP, with the hearing scheduled for Sept. 11 in Sydney.
   “Emirates denies the allegations and will be defending the proceedings,” the airline said in a statement to Dow Jones Newswires.
   The airlines who have already admitted to price-fixing have paid fines worth more than $34 million. Similar investigations are ongoing in the United States and New Zealand.