Collusion costs cargo

BRITISH Airways has been hit with a double whammy of fines having been found guilty of colluding over surcharges for passenger and cargo operations.

Korean Airlines pleaded guilty to the same charge and was fined US$300 million for its involvement. Indeed, both airlines could face civil cases in other countries where the drive for civil prosecutions is gathering momentum.

In both cases the ‘whistleblowing’ airline has emerged from the investigation fine-free.
Is it fair that British Airways carries the burden of bad publicity and fines for its involvement when at least 12 other airlines are under investigation?

The air cargo industry has been badly damaged by the revelations, and although some forwarders and GSAs look on smugly because of the airlines’ refusal to pay commissions on surcharges, these ongoing criminal and civil cases can only harm the industry as a whole.

Passengers may have lost or gained by a dollar or two and cargo shippers likewise, but where has all the penalty money gone? Not to the ‘wronged’ customers and not ring-fenced to improve aviation. Not even for research into cleaner, environmentally friendly aircraft. No, it goes straight into the treasury coffers of the prosecuting countries – to be squandered by ill-informed politicians.