Air New Zealand has been given two months by Europe's anti-trust regulator to explain its alleged role in a global air cargo price-fixing scam involving major airlines, local media reported on Thursday.
It is one of 25 airlines that have been contacted by the European Union following an investigation into alleged agreements among airlines over air cargo rates and surcharges.
The New Zealand carrier said it had received a statement of objections, which sets out issues the airlines were required to respond to by March 3.
"Air New Zealand will not be making any further comment until the statement has been considered by the company's lawyers," it said in a statement.
The latest European inquiry is focused on claims of criminal behavior by the freight arms of airlines. Some including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Air Canada were sent "please explain" notes on Dec. 20.
Australia's Qantas airline on Wednesday joined other airlines in confirming it had also received the demand, which European Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd called "official charge sheets".
British Airways, Japan Airlines, Air France-KLM, SAS Group (owner of Scandinavian Airlines) and Cargolux Airlines International, were also reported to be under scrutiny.
Each carrier risks fines of up to 10 percent of their annual cargo revenue if found guilty.
Source:Xinhua
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