Qantas quiet on BA allegations

QANTAS Airways Ltd says it won't comment on allegations by British Airways (BA) that it was part of an air cargo price fixing cartel until it is formally notified.

"We have not yet received any formal notification of this action from British Airways and will not be in a position to comment until something has been received and assessed," a Qantas spokesman said on Friday.

BA has issued legal proceedings against alleged co-conspirators in a bid to spread the impact of damages, after the UK-based airline was sued by about 250 companies, The Times reported on Friday.

BA had pleaded guilty in the US to being part of a air cargo cartel and had issued proceedings, known as a Part 20, to enjoin the other alleged conspirators, The Times said.

Qantas, Air France, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines are among those being named by BA, according to the paper.