The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken action against travel agency Flight Centre to the Federal Court in Brisbane.
The ACCC is alleging the company attempted to induce competitors to enter into price fixing arrangements with them.
The ACCC alleges that, on six occasions between 2005 and 2009, Flight Centre attempted to induce international airlines Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Emirates to agree to stop directly offering and booking their own international airfares, including over the internet, at prices less than Flight Centre offered.
It is alleged that Flight Centre's prices included both the amount collected for the airfare itself, which was then paid to the airlines, plus the commission that Flight Centre retained for its booking and distribution services.
The ACCC also alleges that Flight Centre provided booking services to the public and distribution services to the international airlines in competition with the airlines' internal sales divisions.
It is alleged that the purpose and likely effect of the arrangements sought by Flight Centre was to maintain the level of Flight Centre's commissions.
As a result, the ACCC is seeking to declarations, injunctions, pecuniary penalties and cots.