United States authorities have dropped a cargo cartel investigation against Air New Zealand.
The national carrier says the US Department of Justice Federal Prosecutors has confirmed it is ending its investigation.
General counsel John Blair says the airline has spent five years defending the charges and is delighted the authorities recognise that it conducts its business legally.
Regulators have previously cleared Air New Zealand of wrongdoing in Europe and South Korea, but it still faces action in New Zealand.
Globally, regulators have been cracking down on price-fixing behaviour involving air cargo since 2005, with over $US 1 billion worth of fines has been imposed.
