A $200 million class action against Qantas and six other major airlines accused of freight price-fixing could lead to a legal claim by passengers, lawyers told the Australian Associated Press. The law firm leading the civil suit on behalf of thousands of international freight users says passengers may have a case against the airlines if collusion allegations over freight surcharges are proven.

Maurice Blackburn Cashman filed a class action in the Federal Court against Qantas, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, JAL and British Airways.

The law firm alleges the airlines formed a cartel to fix fuel, security and war-risk surcharges against Australian freight users, who were fleeced an estimated $200 million over seven years.
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