One current and three former British Airways executives have been charged with cartel offences in connection with the UK Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) criminal investigation into price-fixing of fuel surcharges on long-haul passenger flights.
The OFT had already last summer fined the Oneworld carrier £121.5 million ($236.4 million) for colluding with Virgin Atlantic Airways over the timing and level of surcharge hikes between July 2004 and April 2006. Virgin, which had relayed details of these exchanges to the OFT, was granted immunity and escaped being penalised.
Today BA's current head of sales Andrew Crawley, former head of UK and Ireland sales Alan Burnett, former commercial director Martin George and former head of corporate communications Iain Burns have all been charged with cartel offences under the 2002 Enterprises Act.
"Martin George, Andrew Crawley, Alan Burnett and Iain Burns are charged with having dishonestly agreed with others to make or implement arrangements which directly or indirectly fixed the price for the supply in the United Kingdom of passenger air transport services by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways," the OFT says in a statement.
They are due to appear at City of London Magistrates' Court on 24 September. BA says it has been notified of the charges.
The OFT notes individuals convicted of cartel offences under the Enterprise Act may be sentenced to up to five years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Source: Flight International
