Air New Zealand says it is "surprised" at having been named in an action mounted by Australian legal firm Maurice Blackburn Cashman against alleged price-fixing in the air cargo market, the New Zealand's National Business Review reported.

The airline described the action as an attempt by an "opportunistic law firm to target large, high-profile corporates".

In a statement, the airline's general counsel John Blair said the case was a part of an international trend where law firms target multi-national companies with class actions on "issues of little substance".

"These opportunists expect companies to take the easy route of making an out-of-court settlement rather than incurring the expense and time of legal wrangles over many years.

"This action has all the hallmarks of similar class actions that Air New Zealand has been subject to in the past including in the USA - complete with a blatant attempt to sensationalise by sending out media releases and holding press conferences well in advance of the named parties being served with proceedings," Mr Blair said.

The statement said the airline will examine the issues raised by the paper served against it, but added that it was already "well aware of the allegations which stem from an almost industry wide regulatory investigation of air cargo in a number of jurisdictions".