Air France-KLM settles €368M fine in historic air cargo cartel case

Air France-KLM has agreed to pay €368 million in fines and interest, ending a long-running air cargo price-fixing dispute. The payment comes after the European Court of Justice rejected the group's final appeal against penalties first imposed in 2017. The case involved anti-competitive practices dating back over two decades.

The European Commission initially fined 13 cargo airlines, including Air France, KLM, and Martinair, in 2017 for colluding on air freight prices. The violations stretched back more than 20 years, prompting legal challenges from the affected carriers.

In February 2026, the European Court of Justice upheld earlier rulings that dismissed appeals from Air France-KLM and other airlines. The court confirmed no breach of equal treatment, as differences in penalties—such as Thai regulations affecting Air France—were justified by varying circumstances. This decision finalised the fines for all 12 companies involved.

Air France-KLM had already reserved €366 million for the penalties, with the final amount now set at €368 million. The group stated it would settle the payment in March, bringing the case to a close. Meanwhile, the company reaffirmed its commitment to competition law compliance and pledged to reinforce internal oversight.

The €368 million payment resolves one of the largest air cargo cartel cases in EU history. The ruling leaves no room for further appeals, ensuring the penalties stand as originally imposed. Air France-KLM's compliance measures will now face closer scrutiny moving forward.