The US Transportation Department on Wednesday proposed lifting antitrust immunity for an international trade group that sets airfares and air cargo rates between the United States and Europe.

The proposal to eliminate the long-standing involvement of the International Air Transport Association in pricing would also affect flights between the US and Australia.

Competition authorities in Europe and Australia have also proposed reducing IATA influence, arguing that the growth of international aviation alliances has enhanced competition, lowered fares, and offered consumers more choices.