SYDNEY - AN Australian court has fined four Europe-based airlines a total of A$16 million (S$15.7 million) for price fixing, the country's competition watchdog said Monday.

The Federal Court fined Air France and Dutch carrier KLM A$6 million each after they admitted fixing fuel surcharges in the air cargo market, the the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said.

It said Martinair of the Netherlands and Luxembourg-based Cargolux International were both fined five million dollars after making similar admissions.

'This matter sends a clear message to those involved in cartel behaviour - the ACCC will not stop its endeavours to identify and bring to an end illegal price-fixing conduct,' commission chairman Graeme Samuel said in a statement.

The court also made orders restraining all four airlines from engaging in similar activities for five years.

The fines bring the total penalties levied on airlines in Australia for cartel behaviour to A$41 million after national carrier Qantas was ordered to pay 20 million and British Airways five million last December. -- AFP