Brussels, 15/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - In a statement of objections sent to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the European Commission feels, at first glance, that the tariff consultations by this body for cargo transport restrain price competition and are no longer indispensable to provide customers with effective interlining services in the European Economic Area (EEA). The IATA has two months to answer in writing to the Commission. It is also allowed to call for a hearing. According to the IATA, the tariff conference system facilitates cargo interlining for the transportation of cargo in the EEA. Interlining selects the transport, during part of the journey, by a company other than that which sold the ticket; the prices set by the conference are used to calculate the compensation of the carriers concerned.