EMIRATES FACES ACTION OVER ALLEGED PRICE-FIXING

DUBAI, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission (ACCC) has begun legal proceedings against Emirates Airline
over allegations of price-fixing in the air cargo industry.

The ACCC alleged that between 2002 and 2006, Dubai-based Emirates
entered into arrangements or understandings with other international air
cargo carriers that "had the purpose and effect of fixing the price of
certain fuel surcharges, security surcharges and rates that were applied
to air cargo carried by Emirates and other airlines".

Emirates was the ninth airline to be the subject of ACCC proceedings,
the Australian competition regulator said in a statement.

The ACCC said it was seeking declarations, injunctive relief,
pecuniary penalties and costs.

A directions hearing has been set down for Sept 11 in the
Federal Court in Sydney, said the statement.

"The ACCC continues to investigate other airlines with the assistance
of cooperating parties, and further actions are expected over the next
few months," it added.

Emirates has denied the allegations, according to Arabian Business.

-- BERNAMA