United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
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
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations