Thai Airways (THAI) has been ordered to pay up to AU$7.5 million in penalties for participating in cartel conduct that breached Australian trade practises.

The thirteenth airline to have admitted to engaging in cartel conduct in Australia, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims said the fine ordered against THAI were the highest total penalties and reiterated that this conduct was unacceptable in Australia.  

“This judgment, plus other recent institution of proceedings... sends a strong signal to the business community that cartel conduct will not be tolerated,” Mr Sims explained.

Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific were also fined this week, receiving penalties totalling up to AU$23 million.

To date, penalties in Australia have reached almost AU$100 million.