New Zealand’s national carrier has criticised both Qantas and New Zealand’s Commerce Commission about a statement issued on Friday.

Australian carrier Qantas had issued the press release following a deal it had made with the New Zealand government and its competition watchdog over accusations of price fixing in cooperation with numerous other carriers for cargo routes. Reports have said that it states that Qantas will pay a reduced fine of NZ $6.5 million (£2.9 million) and has agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with the investigation into other carriers, naming Air New Zealand specifically.

Now Air New Zealand has said the PR was “misleading and defamatory” in its own statement. John Blair, the airline’s General Counsel, said that despite announcements by the Competition Commission and Qantas that none of the agency’s investigations thus far have found any wrongdoing by ANZ. He said the statement gives the false impression that all the airlines involved have simply been found guilty and are awaiting hearings.

Blair also said that Qantas mentioning specific cooperation with Air New Zealand was surprising. He said that although Qantas has admitted to criminal behaviour in several offshore jurisdictions that neither Air New Zealand nor any of its employees have been convicted of illegal acts.