OREANDA-NEWS. May 27, 2010. The Sverdlovsk Regional Arbitration Court confirmed validity of the decision and determination made by the Sverdlovsk Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (the Sverdlovsk OFAS Russia) that "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC had violated the antimonopoly law, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The case was initiated upon a petition of "TRANSAERO" Airlines" Ltd., which FAS Russia forwarded to the Sverdlovsk OFAS Russia, that "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC violated the antimonopoly law by unreasonably increasing in 2009 the cost of services for cargo handling (by 20%), passenger pickup (by 29%), flight meals delivery (by 100%), which increased the costs of flights handling in "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC on average by 15.2% and drove up the airfares.

FAS Russia also received a petition from "Vladivostok A" Airlines" OJSC that "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC unreasonably increased the rates for supplying aviation fuel and lubrication materials. In its petition the air carrier indicated that "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC is the only organization providing aircraft refueling services to airlines in this airport.

Investigating the case, the Sverdlovsk OFAS Russia analyzed competitive environment on the market for aircraft ground servicing and discovered that "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC is the only seller of ground handling operations in the territory in question.

On 14th January 2010, the Sverdlovsk OFAS Russia found that "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC violated Clause 1 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition". From 1st January 2009 to 1st July 2009 "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC fixed monopolistically high prices for passenger loading/ unloading services.

The Sverdlovsk OFAS Russia issued a determination to "Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC to stop abusing market dominance and reduce the prices to the level not exceeding average weighted prices for the above services provided by comparable airports in 2009.

"Koltsovo" Airport" OJSC disagreed with the decision and determination of the antimonopoly body and filed a lawsuit.

The Court upheld the decision and determination issued by the Sverdlovsk OFAS Russia.