Former Qantas executive faces US court and jail

A former top Qantas executive has appeared in a Washington court to admit his involvement in an international price fixing cartel.

Bruce McCaffrey, who was Qantas's air cargo manager in the US, has pleaded guilty to fixing international cargo charges with other airline executives between 2000 and 2006.

As part of a plea deal with the US Justice Department, he has agreed to serve eight months in jail and pay a $21,000 fine.

Qantas has already been fined $61 million for its role in the price-fixing conspiracy.

The court has been told Qantas earned $367 million in cargo revenues during the period in question.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA