QANTAS has been given 15 days to pay a US$68 million fine in the US for its role in a conspiracy to fix rates on international air cargo shipments.
The Australian flag carrier has pleaded guilty in a Washington court to a single count of conspiracy to restrain trade.
The US Department of Justice had accused Qantas of trying to eliminate competition by fixing the rates for air cargo shipments between America and Australia.
Airline lawyer Brett Johnson admitted that Qantas Freight Division had taken part in the scheme. After declaring it was a "very serious offence", Judge John Bates fined Qantas the amount the airline had accepted in a plea bargain that further involves its cooperation in the continuing investigation.
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