NORTHWEST Airlines (NWA) has been subpoenaed by the US Department of Justice in the ongoing air cargo price-fixing probe.

More than a dozen airlines have already been subjected to a US and EU investigation into suspected air cargo price fixing. However, this is the first time Northwest has been identified as a target in the probe, according to a report in the UK Air Cargo News.

NWA spokesman Dean Breest confirmed that the airline has received a subpoena from the Department of Justice and that it is "co-operating". The Justice Department also confirmed that the air cargo probe is continuing, but declined comment.

Last September, United and American disclosed settlements that did not involve payments in a lawsuit that arose from the investigation. Lufthansa paid US$85 million to settle pending lawsuits in the case, the report added.