Santa Clara, CA: Air New Zealand has reached a $35 million settlement in a class action lawsuit brought in 2006 by several freight forwarders who allege the airline fixed prices in their cargo operations. Air New Zealand in just one defendant in the antitrust class action lawsuit.
Although the airline has not admitted liability, it has agreed to settle to mitigate further legal action and related court costs.
The class action named a list of global airlines, alleging that they conspired on cargo fuel and security surcharges between 2000 and 2006. The US class action is just one of several similar cases brought in other countries. The US Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation, from which Air New Zealand was released in 2011.
The settlement remains subject to court approval. The $35 million represents 2.8% of the $1.2 billion so far paid in settlements by 28 airlines accused of price-fixing.
