In a statement, the commission said it has concerns that the companies involved may have entered into anti-competitive agreements to shut competing passenger operators out of the market in breach of Article 101 on the Functioning of the European Union.

IRJ understands the raids took place in Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic and were carried out with the support of national antitrust authorities.

The commission says unannounced inspections are a preliminary step in investigating anti-competitive behaviour and does not mean the companies involved are guilty of malpractice.