Latin American airlines (LATAM) has been charged with criminal conspiracy by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (OSCJ).

The airline pleaded guilty for its part in a price-fixing cartel after an investigation by the Canadian Competition Bureau. LATAM joins other airlines which have previously admitted to the same crime, such as British Airways, Air France and KLM, who were all found guilty in 2009.

A fine of C$975,000 (£596,746) was given out by OSCJ - much lighter in comparison to British Airway's fine of C$4.5 million. Air France were also fined C$4 million and KLM C$5 million.

Results of the investigation have revealed airlines were adding fuel surcharges on cargo shipments.

The bureau said: "[Our] investigation into the fixing of fuel and other surcharges has successfully secured over C$25 million dollars in fines to date. LATAM is the ninth party to be convicted in this investigation."

Under the Canadian competition act, the offence is punishable by up to 14 years in prison and/or up to C$25 million in fines. However, LATAM and the previous eight airlines acts came under a former provision, which only had a maximum of C$10 million and/or five years jail sentence.