A case that has dragged on for nearly a decade has recently been given new life, thanks to a ruling by the U.S. District Court. Shippers seeking damages against carriers that colluded to fix fuel and security surcharges between Jan. 1, 2000, and Sept. 30, 2006, were granted class-action status on July 10. The airlines involved raised rates 28 times in a global scandal involving more than 41 defendants.
The court’s ruling opens the door for hundreds of thousands of people to seek damages against the airlines named in the suit. Most of the airlines have settled out of court, but the ones that have not are subject to the class action . They are Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, Polar Air Cargo and Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings.