Five airlines must face price-fixing accusations

[LONDON] Five international airlines must face a class-action lawsuit from passengers accusing them of fixing the prices of tickets on transpacific flights, a US judge has ruled.

But in doing so, US District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco on Tuesday narrowed the suit somewhat, ruling that certain fares to the Philippines and Japan are exempt from price-fixing claims under federal law.

Christopher Lebsock, an attorney for the proposed class of passengers, said that most passengers' claims would not be affected by the ruling.