Four former and current British Airways executives appeared in court today in the first criminal prosecution for price-fixing against a major UK company.

Andrew Crawley, BA's head of sales; Martin George, the airline's former commercial director; Iain Burns, its former head of communications; and Alan Burnett, its former head of UK sales, appeared relaxed as they appeared at the City of London Magistrate's Court to hear the charges against them.

The four are accused of conspiring with executives at Virgin Atlantic, a rival airline, to fix the price of fuel surcharges on long haul flights between July 1, 2004 and April 20, 2006.

The men spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth and did not enter a plea, as is common at the first stage of complex prosecutions.

A panel of three judges ordered the case to be sent to Southwark Crown Court for a trial by jury next year. All four were granted unconditional bail.

The men declined to comment outside court. Mr Burns and Mr George have previously said that they deny the charges and intend to fight their case.

Price-fixing was not made a specific criminal offence — known as the "cartel offence" — until 2002. It carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail and unlimited fines.

The prosecution, brought by the Office of Fair Trading, the UK consumer watchdog, is the first involving employees of a major company and is only the second time the OFT has used its criminal powers to target a cartel.

In June, three former oil industry executives were given jail sentences of between 30 and 36 months for running a cartel that fixed the price of marine hoses, which are used to transfer oil from tankers to storage facilities.

The case against the BA executives follows a joint investigation by US and UK competition authorities that has already resulted in the airline paying £270 million in fines.

BA has also agreed a settlement of over £100 million to resolve a class action lawsuit brought by customers affected by the fuel surcharges.

Virgin Atlantic and its executives were granted immunity from criminal prosecution and fines after it blew the whistle to the OFT.

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