Class Certification Recommended in Air Cargo Antitrust Litigation

New York Federal Judge Recommends Certification for Class of Plaintiffs Affected by a Global Conspiracy to Fix Prices of Airfreight Shipping Services

New York (October 15, 2014) — Magistrate Judge Viktor V. Pohorelsky of the Eastern District of New York has recommended the certification of a direct purchaser class and the appointment of Hollis Salzman, Co-Chair of the Antitrust and Trade Regulation Group at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., as Co-Lead Counsel in the closely watched In re Air Cargo Shipping Services Antitrust Litigation (MDL No. 1775). As a result of the decision, the remaining defendants in this litigation may be liable for the total amount of damages to members of the class, which includes “hundreds of thousands of claims,” according to the Court.

“The Court’s well-reasoned decision recommending class certification is a triumph for businesses who were overcharged on their air cargo shipments to, from, and within the United States,” said Salzman. “Since the Department of Justice has made it clear that it is relying on the pending civil class action to provide restitution to victims of the cartel, this decision is essential in our quest to obtain monetary relief from the remaining defendants, which include a number of major airfreight carriers around the globe.”

The decision comes just one day after Asiana Airlines agreed to pay $55 million to exit the litigation, bringing the total amount of partial settlements in the ongoing antitrust litigation to nearly $1 billion.

Meegan Hollywood of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. also represents the plaintiffs and assisted in the class certification proceedings.