ABSA Cargo (São Paulo Viracopos) along with Alitalia and American Airlines have had their fines for engaging in alleged cargo cartel activities reduced by Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defence (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica - CADE).

In August 2013, the three, along with the now defunct Varig Log (São Paulo Guarulhos), were fined a total of just over BRL293million (USD125million) over the alleged cartel, which the CADE said operated between 2003 and 2005. However, following an appeal, the CADE last week reduced the overall collective fine to BRL192.8 million (USD74.94million).

The fines, which relate to allegations that the four companies fixed the price and date of fuel surcharges on international freight services, are part of a global investigation which began in 2000.

CADE reached an BRL14million (USD5.44million) agreement with Air France-KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in February 2013 in which the Franco-Dutch carrier admitted to cartel activities while pledging to cease the practice.