BA and Virgin executives named in collusion class-action
Three former British Airways executives and two Virgin executives are reported to have been named by the Washington lawyers handling a class-action suit against the airlines over price-fixing.
According to the Times, the third BA executive is Alan Burnett, former head of UK and international sales, alongside former commercial director Martin George and former communications director Iain Burns.
At Virgin, says the Times, the executives named are former communications director Paul Moore and Willy Boulter, the airline’s current commercial director.
Both airlines today refused to comment specifically on this matter, but confirmed the names and job titles of the people in question.
The class-action suit is being filed by Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, which is seeking damages on behalf of “all victims of the alleged cartel, from all nations”.
It says BA and Virgin conspired to fix the prices of airline fuel surcharges between May 2004 and September 2006 and, as a result, customers paid overcharges.
According to the Times Business report, Michael Hausfeld, the lawyer bringing the case, said that if the airlines do not cooperate, he may seek compensation from the individuals involved.
According to other reports in the business press, the US Department of Justice was separately due to name 10 executives involved in the collusion at a hearing in Washington yesterday.
At the hearing, the US District Court for the District of Columbia approved the $300 million (£150 million) fine imposed on BA for its part in the collusion.
Although the decision concludes the DoJ’s criminal investigation, the investigation into the conduct of individuals continues.
They could be extradited to the US and, if found guilty, face prison sentences of up to 10 years.
In October 2006, Martin George and Iain Burns quit BA.
Burns is now vice-president of corporate communications for Etihad Airways.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11