By JANE WARDELL AP Business Writer

LONDON Feb 14, 2006 (AP)"” Several European airlines said Tuesday they are cooperating with an investigation into possible price fixing in the air cargo industry.

The European Commission in Brussels confirmed that it carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of several airlines in Europe as part of an investigation into illegal price fixing.

British Airways PLC, Air France, German airline Lufthansa and Luxembourg's Cargolux all confirmed they were cooperating with authorities.

In a brief statement to the London Stock Exchange, British Airways said it had received a request for information from both the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Air France said in a statement in Paris that it would cooperate with the EC inquiry. An Air France official declined to elaborate.

In Berlin, Lufthansa said it "will fully cooperate in the investigations by the authorities."

Patrick Jeanne, a spokesman for cargo airline Cargolux, said the carrier had been visited Tuesday by EU inspectors.

The EC said surprise inspections are a preliminary step in investigations into suspected cartels.

"The fact that the European Commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anticompetitive behavior nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself," it said in a statement.

It put no time frame on the completion of its investigation.

BA said its policy is "to conduct its business in full compliance with all the applicable competition laws."

"British Airways is assisting the European Commission and United States Department of Justice with their investigation," it said. The airline said it had no immediate comment beyond its statement.

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