MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF

Air New Zealand has been found by Australia's courts to have fixed air freight charges in a scheme with other international airlines between 2002 and 2007.

Air New Zealand has been ordered to pay A$15 million (NZ$16.2m) by the Federal Court of Australia for its involvement in a price-fixing scheme. 

The airline was one of 13 airlines penalised after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took action against what it called a "global air cargo cartel".

Commissioner Sarah Court said the court found Air New Zealand agreed with other airlines to fix the price of fuel and insurance on air freight services from Hong Kong and Singapore to various locations, including Australian airports, between 2002 and 2007.

Airlines Qantas, Emirates, British Airways and Cathay Pacific, among others, were involved in the scheme, and had been penalised a total of A$113.5m in court orders since 2008. 

READ MORE: Air New Zealand pays $51m to cargo conspiracy plaintiff

Air New Zealand agreed to pay A$2m to cover ACCC's legal costs, Court said.

more to come

 - Stuff