JAL to pay Kaplan Fox clients US$12 million for price-fixing

KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP has announced a US$12 million settlement, subject to court approval, with Japan Airlines for the carrier's involvement in an illegal air freight price-fixing cartel.

Kaplan Fox serves as one of four co-lead counsels representing a class of direct purchasers from defendants of air cargo shipping services for shipments to, from and within the United States. They are seeking compensation for alleged overcharges sustained as a result of a price-fixing conspiracy alleged against over two dozen airlines.

Japan Airlines filed for bankruptcy in January 2010, and remains in bankruptcy. In addition to the $12 million settlement payment, Japan Airlines has also agreed to provide substantial cooperation in the prosecution of the action against the remaining defendants, a statement from Kaplan Fox said.

Last September, Judge John Gleeson had granted final approval to an $85 million settlement with Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Lufthansa Cargo AG, and Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. Earlier this month, it was announced that a settlement had been reached with defendants Societe Air France, Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij NV and Martinair Holland NV for $87 million. Thus, the current settlement will increase the total amount recovered for the class to date to $184 million.
(Source:www.schednet.com)