BA targeted in cartel probe
British Airways is one of several carriers under investigation as part of a European and US crackdown on alleged cartel activity.
The European Commission raided a number of airlines and cargo operators yesterday, including BA, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and SAS.
BA confirmed it has received a request for information from both the EC and United States Department of Justice.
It admitted the request related to “alleged cartel activity involving British Airways and a number of other airlines and cargo operators.”
“British Airways’ policy is to conduct its business in full compliance with all the applicable competition laws,” it said in a statement. “BA is assisting the European Commission and United States department of justice with their investigation.”
The EC said it had “reason to believe” that the companies concerned may have violated rules on cartels and restricted business practices.
But a spokesman said: “The fact we’ve undertaken them doesn’t mean that the companies are necessarily guilty of anti-competitive behaviour as it does not pre-judge the outcome of our investigations.”
The investigation are at a “preliminary stage”, he added.
The probe is believed to focus on freight.
Reports suggested one airline had tipped off the authorities after competition commissioner Neelie Kroes instigated a crackdown on cartels and offered leniency for firms blowing the whistle.
Report by Steve Jones
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 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments