The Competition Authority has imposed a fine of nearly 15 million euros on Air Caraibes, Air Antilles and Aérogestion for serious anti-competitive practices in the Antilles. These maneuvers, described as “sophisticated”, had a strong impact on local users.
A pricing agreement with serious consequences
Between 2015 and 2019, the companies Air Caraibes and Air Antilles, with the complicity of Aérogestion, orchestrated a series of agreements on plane ticket prices and flight capacity in the Caribbean. The Competition Authority, which delivered its verdict this week, described these practices as “ particularly serious “. The fine, totaling 14.57 million euros, reflects the seriousness of the facts.
Air Caraibes and Air Antilles, in a duopoly situation on an island territory, concluded a “ non-aggression agreement » to set common price scales and reduce the supply of seats. These practices concerned strategic lines between Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Saint-Martin, Sainte-Lucie and Santo Domingo. The objective? Maximize profits by increasing prices and limiting available time slots.
The Competition Authority also noted sophisticated concealment methods, including the use of pseudonyms and code names. The consulting company Aérogestion would have played a central role in this coordination. These practices have caused a significant increase in prices and a reduction of more than 10% in the number of seats offered on certain routes.
The repercussions for the people of the West Indies were significant. The clientele, described as “captive”, mainly depends on air transport for their travel, due to a lack of viable alternatives. The increase in prices has worsened the financial burden for populations already faced with a cost of living higher than that of the mainland.
-Air Caraibes and Air Antilles customers heavily penalized
LThe Competition Authority stressed that the companies involved were fully aware of the illegality of their actions. Despite this, Air Caraibes and Aérogestion opted for a settlement procedure, thus accepting the facts. Air Caraibes, jointly with its parent companies, will have to pay 13 million euros, while Aérogestion will pay a fine of 70,000 euros.
The situation in Cairo, the company operating Air Antilles, was more complex. In liquidation, its sanction of 1.5 million euros was transferred to its parent company, K Finance.
In a statement to La Tribune, Air Caraibes acknowledged the facts while emphasizing their age and leaving the door open to an appeal. Contacted, Marc Rochet, director of Aérogestion, did not wish to comment.
This decision illustrates the increased vigilance of the authorities towards anti-competitive practices, particularly in sectors where consumers have few alternatives. It also highlights the economic and social challenges of island territories faced with the concentration of economic players.
