European Union drops probe into possible price-fixing between Europe and Japan
European Union antitrust regulators dropped a probe into carriers including Air France-KLM and Deutsche Lufthansa over possible price-fixing on passenger services on routes from Europe to Japan (Bloomberg, 15-Nov-2011). Recent air-service agreements with fares now "freely set" are among the reasons for dropping the case, European Commission spokeswoman Amelia Torres said. The EU's decision to close the case confirms Lufthansa's view it "always conformed to antitrust regulations," Lufthansa spokesman Boris Ogursky said. Air France-KLM spokesman Cedric Leurquin said the EU move "appears logical" because the airline "can, based on the terms of the bilateral air agreement between France and Japan, freely set its fares between the European Union and Japan".