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British Airways execs in court over price fixing
13.07.09
Three former British Airways executives and the firm's sales and marketing director today denied in court allegations of price fixing.
Former head of sales Andrew Crawley, 42, of Buckinghamshire, who has recently been promoted to sales and marketing director; Iain Burns, 50, former head of communications, of Surrey; Alan Burnett, 62, also of Surrey, who led sales in the UK and Ireland; and the airline's one-time commercial director, 47-year-old Martin George, from Middlesex, all pleaded not guilty to a so-called "cartel offence" contrary to Section 288 of the Enterprise Act, 2002.
They will stand trial in January next year.
It will hear claims they conspired with Virgin Atlantic Airways to fix the price of fuel surcharges.
At today's plea the four defendants spoke only to confirm their names and deny the charges. It is alleged that between July 1, 2004, and April 20, 2006, they "dishonestly agreed" with others to "make or implement arrangements relating to at least two undertakings, namely British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, which directly or indirectly fixed the price for the supply by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways in the United Kingdom of passenger air transport services".
Mr Justice Owen, who will hear the case, told the defendants they could remain on unconditional bail.
The trial, listed for January 18, 2010, is expected to last three months.
