The U.S. government has accused 21 airlines of taking part in a price fixing scheme that cost American consumers and cargo shippers hundreds of millions of dollars by artificially inflating fuel surcharges.
The scheme took place between 2000 and 2006 and helped to raise airline profits
So far, fines of $1.7 billion have been levied and 19 executives have been indicted—four of whom have gone to jail.
The U.S.government found out about the scheme when two of the airlines involved, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic, came forward and admitted what was going on. Neither airline gave any specifics as to why they did that. By helping the government they were not penalized.
British Airways, Koraen Air and Air France-KLM are some of the airlines that were charged. No U.S
The strange part; no U.S. based airlines were involved.
(Frank II)