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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| US judge upholds BA's $300m fine | US judge upholds BA's $300m fine |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A US judge has upheld a $300m (£150m) fine against British Airways (BA) for price fixing after a guilty plea. | A US judge has upheld a $300m (£150m) fine against British Airways (BA) for price fixing after a guilty plea. |
| The case was heard by a judge in Washington, who had to formally approve the fine which was recommended in July by the Department of Justice. | The case was heard by a judge in Washington, who had to formally approve the fine which was recommended in July by the Department of Justice. |
| BA now faces the likelihood of a class action lawsuit by thousands of US customers who were overcharged. | BA now faces the likelihood of a class action lawsuit by thousands of US customers who were overcharged. |
| The airline had tried to fix the price of fuel surcharges on US flights in collusion with Virgin Atlantic. | The airline had tried to fix the price of fuel surcharges on US flights in collusion with Virgin Atlantic. |
| Joint investigations | Joint investigations |
| "As I have previously stated, any anti-competitive behaviour is to be condemned at British Airways or at other companies," said BA chief executive Willie Walsh after the judge's verdict. | |
| Anti-competitive behaviour is entirely unacceptable and we condemn it unreservedly Willie Walsh, BA chief executive Q&A: BA price fixing | Anti-competitive behaviour is entirely unacceptable and we condemn it unreservedly Willie Walsh, BA chief executive Q&A: BA price fixing |
| "It will not be tolerated and we remain vigilant in this respect." | |
| BA could have faced a US fine of up to $900m, but the Department of Justice credited it for co-operating with the inquiry. | |
| The American fine followed a detailed investigation on both sides of the Atlantic. | The American fine followed a detailed investigation on both sides of the Atlantic. |
| Investigations in the UK were led by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which has already fined BA £121.5m. | Investigations in the UK were led by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which has already fined BA £121.5m. |
| As rival Virgin Atlantic tipped off the OFT about the price-fixing scandal, it was granted immunity. | As rival Virgin Atlantic tipped off the OFT about the price-fixing scandal, it was granted immunity. |
| It was the first time that the UK and the US have simultaneously brought action against a company. | It was the first time that the UK and the US have simultaneously brought action against a company. |
| BA had colluded with Virgin Atlantic on at least six occasions between August 2004 and January 2006, the OFT found. | BA had colluded with Virgin Atlantic on at least six occasions between August 2004 and January 2006, the OFT found. |
| During that time, fuel surcharges rose from £5 to £60 per ticket. | During that time, fuel surcharges rose from £5 to £60 per ticket. |
| BA's chief executive Willie Walsh has insisted that passengers had not been overcharged because fuel surcharges were "a legitimate way of recovering costs". | BA's chief executive Willie Walsh has insisted that passengers had not been overcharged because fuel surcharges were "a legitimate way of recovering costs". |
| In October 2006, BA's commercial director, Martin George, and communications chief, Iain Burns - who had been on leave of absence since the inquiry into the surcharges began - quit the company. | In October 2006, BA's commercial director, Martin George, and communications chief, Iain Burns - who had been on leave of absence since the inquiry into the surcharges began - quit the company. |