Airlines hid documents from investigation

NEW Zealand’s competition regulator is charging three airlines in its investigation of the air cargo price-fixing cartel of withholding evidence. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Aerolineas Argentinas are alleged to have not supplying documents that the Commerce Commission required for their investigation. Parties who receive notices cannot refuse to supply documents or information to the Commission as this may prejudice an investigation.

If the District Court in Auckland agrees that the airlines breached section 103 of the Commerce Act they could be fined up to NZ$30,000 each.

“Any failure to comply with Commission statutory notices that form part of a Commission investigation is a serious enforcement issue,” said Commission Chair Paula Rebstock. “The information the Commission alleges was not provided in accordance with the notices could potentially be relevant to the Commission’s investigation.”