On 24 July 2001 Maersk Air A/S received the Commission of the European Communities’ decision in the case regarding its co-operation with Scandinavian Airline Systems. The Commission concluded that the two companies had deliberately infringed the EU competition rules and seeked to hide this from the Commission. An infringement which is described as very serious and which for Maersk Air A/S resulted in a fine of EUR 13.125 million or about DKK 100 million – after a reduction of 25% granted for co-operation with the Commission for full clarification of the case.


The factual findings are not contested, and the Board of Directors of Maersk Air A/S has taken note of the decision and decided not to bring the size of the fine before the European Court of Justice.


As a consequence the Chairman of Maersk Air A/S, Mr Bjarne Hansen, has decided to resign from the Board of Maersk Air A/S and also as Partner of the Firm A.P. Møller.
Mr Troels Dilling, who was Chairman of Maersk Air A/S from 1990-1996, will resume the position as Chairman.


Additionally, Mr Ole Dietz has wished to resign as Managing Director of Maersk Air A/S. No other employee of Maersk Air A/S is affected. Mr Flemming Ipsen, who is today responsible for the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group’s activities in Singapore, will become new Managing Director of Maersk Air A/S. Mr Bjarne Hansen will take over Mr Ipsen’s position in Singapore.


This is an unfortunate and isolated occurrence. A.P. Møller is not always in agreement with the Commission’s interpretation of the EU rules, but a deliberate infringement is not acceptable and is deeply regretted.


Copenhagen, 1 August 2001


Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller