The penalties for the growing number of airlines caught participating in conspiracies to fix prices, either in passenger or cargo operations, are rising rapidly. And there are yet more fines or damages to come, as well as possible criminal charges against individuals.

The settlement on Friday by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic of a class action brought in the US, under which the two airlines could pay out about $200m (£102m), represents only one part of the myriad investigations and claims started against airlines round the world in the past three years.