Korea Air pleads guilty to price-fixing in Canada

Reuters: South Korean flag carrier Korean Air has pleaded guilty to involvement in an air cargo price-fixing cartel on certain routes from Canada between April 2002 and February 2006, Canada’s competition watchdog said last week.

The Competition Bureau imposed a C$5.5 million ($5.46 million) fine on the airline, the seventh to be convicted in the scheme, which the bureau continues to investigate.

“The bureau is committed to pursuing those who engage in anti-competitive behaviour that harms Canadian businesses and consumers,” Melanie Aitken, the commissioner of competition, said in a statement.

The six other convictions occurred in 2009 and 2010 and include Cargolux, Air France, KLM, Martinair, Qantas and British Air. The bureau has imposed fines so far totalling C$22.6 million.