As a result of its ongoing investigation into price fixing cartels in the air cargo industry, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has today instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd.
The ACCC alleges that Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd, between 2001 and 2005, entered into arrangements or understandings with other international air cargo carriers that had the purpose or effect of fixing the price of a fuel surcharge and a security surcharge that was applied to air cargo carried by Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd and other airlines including to and from Australia.
The ACCC is seeking declarations, injunctive relief, pecuniary penalties, and costs.
A directions hearing has been set down for 12 February 2009 at 9.30 a.m. before Justice Jacobson in the Federal Court in Sydney.
Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd is the third airline to be the subject of ACCC proceedings for fuel surcharge price fixing. On 28 October 2008 the ACCC instituted proceedings against Qantas Airways Limited and British Airways PLC, as a result of which Justice Lindgren ordered penalties be paid of $20 million and $5 million respectively.
"The ACCC continues to investigate other airlines, some of which are assisting voluntarily, while others are not. The ACCC expects to be able to finalise its investigations with a number of airlines shortly," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.