OREANDA-NEWS. February 06, 2012. The 12th Arbitration Appeal Court pronounced legitimacy of the determination issued by the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Saratov Region (Saratov OFAS Russia) to fine “Saratov Airlines” OJSC 1.8 million Rubles for abusing market dominanceб reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

In 2010 “Saratov Airlines” OJSC fixed the following special airfares for the economy class on the Saratov – Moscow – Saratov route: one-way fares - 2000, 2800 and 3500 Rubles and return fares - 3500 and 4500 Rubles.

The antimonopoly body found that the company violated Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” and made an order to impose the fine.

The company filed a lawsuit challenging the decision of Saratov OFAS Russia.

The Courts of two instances pronounced legitimacy of the conclusions made by the regional Office of FAS Russia.

Also Kirov District Court in Saratov pronounced legitimacy of the fine imposed by Saratov OFAS Russia upon the General Director of “Saratov Airlines” OJSC.

“Investigating the case, Saratov OFAS Russia established that the conditions for applying special tariffs are the same (the same procedures for booking and buying the tickets, the same conditions for returning the tickets, the same discounts for children, etc.) The same service of regular passenger transportation by air transport on the Saratov – Moscow – Saratov route is offered at the different tariffs specified above”, says Deputy Head of Saratov OFAS Russia, Lyudmila Borisova.

Reference:

Clause 6 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” prohibits economic entities that have dominant position on a particular market to fix economically, technologically and otherwise unjustified different prices (tariffs) for the same goods, unless otherwise provided for by the federal law.