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British Airways was found guilty following a three year investigation.?Photo: AP

The UK flag carrier was one of 11 airlines écopés 799 m € for rigging supplements fuel and security over six years, spanning December 14 1999 février.La EC decision leaves carriers exposed to damages from class-action client applications representing €6bn of freight traffic.

After a three-year investigation, the European Commission found carriers began setting fuel surcharges and then "extended their cooperation by introducing additional security.

Joaquin Almunia, Vice-President of the European Community of the competition stated: "it is unfortunate that so many important Airlines coordinated their prices to the detriment of European companies and European consumers."

Air France-KLM was delivered to the largest fine to EUR 310 million while the air cargo carrier Cargolux is paying a €79.9 m penalty and Singapore Airlines, SAS Scandinavian air .Compagnie EUR 75 million was sentenced to a fine of €70.m 2, with the penalty has increased for a second offence of cartel 50pc.As denunciation, Lufthansa has escaped fines.

BA said the sentence, which was cut by 10pc to cooperate with the European Commission, "fall within the provision" 350 million from ￡ put aside in its accounts 2006-2007 to address fines or relating to the fixing of the EC fine prix.Avant claims he had paid 174 m ￡, mainly to deal with the Department of justice.

BA faces damages claims, however, companies represented by Hausfeld & co, filed with the High Court of UK.Il can also become involved in a similar case brought by the Dutch company BarentsKrans in Amsterdam.

Anthony Mason, a partner at Hausfeld, said the decision of the European Community meant "these airlines can now wisely seek to ensure their liabilities.

The European Commission dropped charges against 11 carriers and a consultancy firm.

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