A Japanese airline has agreed in Washington federal district court to pay a $73 million criminal fine to resolve allegations of price-fixing in the air transportation industry, the U.S. Justice Department announced today.
The government today filed a two-count felony information against Tokyo-based All Nippon Airways Co. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. DOJ lawyers said in court papers that the airline participated with other companies in a conspiracy to fix cargo rates between 2000 and 2006.
Justice lawyers said All Nippon Airways, which is expected to plead guilty, has agreed to cooperate with an ongoing antitrust investigation. An attorney for the airline was not immediately reached for comment this afternoon. Two firms, Constantine Cannon and Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger, represented the airline during the investigation.
A copy of the charging document is here.
All Nippon Airways, according to court papers, shipped heavy equipment, perishable commodities and consumer goods to and from the United States. DOJ attorneys said the airline agreed to fix one or more components of the cargo rates charged to customers in the United States and elsewhere.
DOJ officials said 19 airlines—including British Airways PLC, Northwest Airlines LLC and Korean Air Lines Co.—and more than a dozen executives have been charged. In September, Polar Air Cargo LLC, represented by Ropes & Gray, agreed to pay a $17.4 million criminal fine for its role in the alleged conspiracy.
Updated 11-02-2010
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