After a failed attempt to arrange a deal, Air France-KLM, British Airways and many other carriers may confront multimillion-euro fines from EU regulators on the ground of antitrust, Bloomberg reports.
EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager is pursuing to re-penalise the airlines with around 800 million euros ($844 million) in fines. In 2015, the EU court had refused to the alleged cartel on procedural grounds, according to the people who now participate in the process of this case.
According to the same people, most airlines were willing to reach an agreement that would reduce the number of litigations and escape further conflicts with the European Union authorities. However, there are some air carriers, which do not wish to end this case with a consensus. This consequently will lead to further court appeals.
Back in 2010, the European Commission accused the airlines of operating a cartel, which affected cargo services within EEA. Also, it was accused of coordinating their actions on surcharges for fuel and security without discounts for over six years.
None of the airlines has yet commented on the case.