Japan FTC Fines Aircraft Fuel Supplier For Barring Rival

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) on Tuesday, July 7, issued a cease-and-desist order to major aircraft fuel supplier Mainami Aviation Services after the Tokyo-based firm allegedly obstructed a rival from entering the market.

The company was ordered to stop the questionable practice that allegedly violated the antimonopoly law and make sure that it will not conduct such behavior again.

Mainami had been the sole aircraft fuel supplier at Yao Airport in Osaka Prefecture until SGC Saga Aviation, based in the city of Saga, began the service there in November 2016.

Claiming that mixing fuel could lead to an accident, Mainami informed about 250 client firms, including in writing, that they would not be able to buy fuel from the company if they bought it from SGC Saga.

Mainami took steps against clients that bought fuel from the rival, such as stopping sales of its aircraft fuel at Yao Airport and 10 other airports in Japan and having them sign a document promising that they would not accuse Mainami even if an accident occurred, according to the JFTC.

Full Content: Japan Times

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.