RPT-UPDATE 1-Air NZ says contacted in EU cargo investigation
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SYDNEY, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Air New Zealand (AIR.NZ) said on Thursday it is one of 25 airlines that have been contacted by the European Union following an investigation into alleged agreements among airlines over air cargo rates and surcharges.
The carrier said it had received a statement of objections, which set out issues the airlines were required to respond to by March 3.
"Air New Zealand will not be making any further comment until the statement has been considered by the company's lawyers," it said in a statement.
Shares in the national carrier, which is almost 80 percent owned by the New Zealand government, last traded down 1.5 percent at NZ$1.95.
European, American and Asian airlines have all been targeted including British Airways (BAY.L), Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), Cathay Pacific (0293.HK), Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI) and Air Canada (ACa.TO).
Air Canada said the statement from the European Commission, the European Union's competition watchdog, had alleged levying of certain fuel charges by a number of cargo operators and airlines that were in breach of EC antitrust laws. (Additional reporting by Richard Pullin) (Reporting by Adrian Bathgate)
