The Office of Fair Trading is poised to launch proceedings against four serving and former British Airways executives over price fixing, with an announcement likely today.
The OFT’s investigation follows BA’s admission of collusion with Virgin Atlantic in setting fuel surcharges between 2004 and 2006. BA paid the OFT a fine of £121.5 million last year.
Two national newspapers named the four, including one serving BA senior executive, this morning.
The OFT refused to comment on the reports, but confirmed it would make an announcement today. It confirmed it was investigating individuals in the price-fixing case last week. BA said it was aware of the investigation.
Eight past and present BA executives are among 10 individuals from the UK also subject to possible proceedings in the US, in a case involving collusion on the fuel surcharges on cargo as well as passenger fares – including the four to be named by the OFT. Two former executives at other airlines have already been sentenced to prison in the US on related charges.
Individuals facing charges in the UK would be unlikely to face extradition to the US.