Investigation into alleged price fixing of airline passenger fuel surcharges for long-haul passenger flights

The OFT is investigating alleged price fixing between two providers of airline passenger flights, in relation to passenger fuel surcharges for long-haul passenger flights to and from the UK in breach of Article 81 of the EC Treaty and the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998.

In August 2007, the OFT announced that it had reached an early resolution agreement with one of the parties and that this party had agreed to pay a penalty of £121.5m. The other party is not expected to pay a penalty as it qualifies in principle for full immunity under the OFT’s leniency policy. See press release for further information on this early resolution.

The penalty will not become payable until the OFT has issued an infringement decision. The OFT is bringing separate criminal proceedings against a number of individuals under the Enterprise Act 2002.

Date of opening: March 2006

Team Leader: Louise Shaw (020 7211 8836, louise.shaw@oft.gsi.gov.uk)

Project Director: Stephen Blake (020 7211 8469, stephen.blake@oft.gsi.gov.uk)

Senior Responsible Owner: Simon Williams (020 7211 8117, simon.williams@oft.gsi.gov.uk)

Case reference: CE/7691-06

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