BA investigated over ‘cartel activity’
British Airways and other unnamed airlines are being investigated by UK and US regulators over alleged price fixing of tickets and fuel surcharges.
BA issued a statement saying it has given its commercial director, Martin George, and head of communications, Iain Burns, leave of absence during the investigation.
It said it is fully co-operating with the UK Office of Fair Trading and the US Department of Justice.
“BA’s policy is to conduct its business in full compliance with all applicable competition laws,” it said.
If the authorities find BA guilty of cartel activity, the airline could be fined up to 10% of its turnover, which was £8.5bn for the year to March 31.
The airline’s shares fell 3.2% to 356 pence in early trading on Thursday and ended up falling by almost 6% to 346p.
BA has gradually raised fuel surcharges since 2001 so that long-haul passengers now pay £70 on a return ticket.
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 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt