With an additional recent partial settlement with China Airlines, Ltd. of US$90 million (65 million euros), plaintiffs have now recovered more than US$835 million (602 million euros) in settlements to date to compensate victims of a global conspiracy to inflate prices of airfreight shipping services, according to law firm Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.
These partial settlements resolve a nearly decade long case against dozens of major airfreight carriers around the globe. The plaintiffs’ case against the remaining defendants continues. Of these settlements, more than US$475 million (342 million euros) has already received final approval by the court.
This most recent settlement follows several additional settlements obtained by the plaintiffs on the heels of a class certification hearing at the end of 2013 in the federal U.S. Eastern District of New York. The parties are awaiting the court’s decision on class certification.
In separate criminal probes, 21 air cargo carriers have pleaded guilty to participation in the conspiracy and agreed to criminal fines in excess of US$1.8 billion (1.2 billion euros).
“We’re very pleased with this development, as it brings additional compensation to the many thousands of businesses harmed by this global conspiracy to inflate prices for air shipping services,” said Hollis Salzman, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs and Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. in New York.
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. attorney Meegan Hollywood also represents the plaintiffs.
Defendant | Settlement Amount |
Lufthansa | 85,000,000 |
Air France/KLM/Martinair | 87,000,000 |
American Airlines | 5,000,000 |
Japan Airlines | 12,000,000 |
SAS | 13,930,000 |
All Nippon Airways | 10,400,000 |
Cargolux | 35,100,000 |
Qantas | 26,500,000 |
Thai Airways | 3,500,000 |
British Airways | 89,512,000 |
Lan/ABSA | 66,000,000 |
Malaysia Airlines | 3,200,000 |
South African Airways | 3,290,000 |
Saudia | 14,000,000 |
Emirates | 7,833,000 |
El Al Israel Airlines | 15,800,000 |
Air Canada | 7,500,000 |
Korean Air | $115,000,000 |
Singapore Air | $92,492,442 |
Cathay Pacific | $65,000,000 |
China Airlines | $90,000,000 |
Total | $848,357,442 |