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Air France-KLM said on Monday it had agreed to pay USD$87 million to settle civil anti-trust claims in the United States over an alleged price-fixing conspiracy in the air cargo business.

The deal affects claims against three group airlines -- Air France, KLM and Martinair -- but does not affect the outcome of a European Union anti-trust probe, which is still pending.

"Air France, KLM and Martinair have entered into an agreement to settle damage claims brought against them in the United States alleging violations of the anti-trust laws in connection with air cargo shipping services," the Franco-Dutch airline group said on Monday.

"Under the terms of the settlement agreement, which is subject to court approval, the carriers will pay a total of USD$87 million in exchange for a release from all claims by direct purchasers of air cargo shipping services to and from the United States between 2000 and 2006," it said in a statement.

The sum will be deducted from provisions posted in 2008.

The trio are among a number of airlines swept up in global investigations into an alleged air freight cartel.

The three airlines were facing class-action lawsuits filed in 2006 after the US Justice Department and the European Commission launched investigations into the air cargo industry.

The US probe was resolved in 2008 through plea agreements.