DoJ tries to block Air New Zealand's evidence

AIR New Zealand ( Air NZ) is struggling to have evidence it collected from other airline's witnesses submitted in court, despite attempts from the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to prevent it.
"Air New Zealand is opposing the department's application in view of the four years the department has already spent investigating and the right of the airline defendants in the civil action to progress their defence,"the company said.
Air NZ, like many other airlines, is alleged to have fixed prices on cargo to and from the US following the September 11 terrorist attack on New York. Some carriers raised fuel charges 1,000 per cent, the DoJ says.
Air New Zealand also faces similar lawsuits in Australia, for fuel surcharges, in the US and Canada for allegendly fixing prices on trans-Pacific routes.
The investigation has netted the US government US$1.6 billion in fines and brought criminal charges against at least 18 airlines and eight executives. China Airlines agreed on 27 September to plead quilty and pay a $40 million fine.
Other airlines that have agreed to pay fines in the investigation are Air France-KLM, Cathay Pacific, Martinair, Polar Air Cargo and SAS Cargo.