Four air carriers have agreed to settle with Canada-based plaintiffs who have slapped price-fixing lawsuits against them in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, The Canadian Press reported.
Sweden-based Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), Australia’s Qantas Airways, Luxembourg-based Cargolux Airline, and Singapore Airlines and Singapore Airlines Cargo (both under SQ) have filed a notice of proposed certification and settlement in response to the class-action lawsuits filed against them in the Canadian court system for the alleged cargo price fixing that occurred between 2000 and 2006.
The settlements apply to those who bought air freight shipping services from any air cargo carrier, including services through freight forwarders, for shipments within, to or from Canada—except for shipments to or from the United States—between January 1, 2000 and September 11, 2006, said The Canadian Press, quoting a release from legal firm Siskinds LLP.
Denying any conspiracy, SAS, Qantas, Cargolux, and Singapore Airlines are offering the plaintiffs a settlement totaling CAD3.38 million (US$3.4 million). SAS has agreed to pay CAD300,000, Qantas CAD237,000, and Cargolux CAD1.8 million.
SQ will contribute CAD800,000 toward a settlement fund and CAD$250,000 for notice and administration expenses, for a total payment of CAD1.05 million.
Settlement in the case involving Canadian proceedings were announced earlier involving Deutsche Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss International Air Lines (collectively Lufthansa), and Japan Airlines.
A number of settlements against carriers in separate U.S. proceedings have also been announced.
