31.12. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 374/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 3975/87 of 14 December 1987 laying down the procedure for the application of the rules on competition to undertakings in the air transport sector THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 87 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinions of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas the rules on competition form part of the Treaty’s general provisions which also apply to air transport; whereas the rules for applying these provisions are either specified in the Chapter on competition or fall to be determined by the procedures laid down therein; Whereas, according to Council Regulation No 141 (%), Council Regulation No 17 (%) does not apply to transport services; whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68 () applies only to inland transport; whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 (7) applies only to maritime transport; whereas consequently the Commission has no means at present of investigating directly cases of suspected infringement of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty in air transport; whereas moreover the Commission lacks such powers of its own to take decisions or impose (1) OJ No C 182, 9.7. 1984, p. 2. (?) OJ No C 182, 19. 7. 1982, p. 120 and O] No C 345 21. 12. 1987. (*) OJ No C 77, 21. 3. 1983, p. 20. (*) OJ No 124, 28.11. 1962, p. 2751/62. (5) O] No 13, 21. 2. 1962, p. 204/62. (€) OJ No L 175, 23. 7. 1968, p. 1. (") OJ No L 378, 31. 12. 1986, p. 4. penalties as are necessary for it to bring to an end infringements established by it; Whereas air transport is characterized by features which are specific to this sector; whereas, furthermore, international air transport is regulated by a network of bilateral agreements between States which define the conditions under which air carriers designated by the parties to the agreements may operate routes between their . territories; Whereas practices which affect competition relating to air transport between Member States may have a substantial effect on trade between Member States; whereas it is therefore desirable that rules should be laid down under which the Commission, acting in close and constant liaison with the competent authorities of the Member States, may take the requisite measures for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to international air transport between Community airports; Whereas such a regulation should provide for appropriate procedures, decision-making powers and penalties to ensure compliance with the prohibitions laid down in Articles 85 (1) and 86 of the Treaty; whereas account should be taken in this respect of the procedural provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68 applicable to inland transport operations, which takes account of certain distinctive features of transport operations viewed as a whole; Whereas undertakings concerned must be accorded the right to be heard by the Commission, third parties whose interests may be affected by a decision must be given the opportunity of submitting their comments beforehand and it must be ensured that wide publicity is given to decisions taken; Whereas all decisions taken by the Commission under this Regulation are subject to review by the Court of Justice under the conditions specified in the Treaty; whereas it is moreover desirable, pursuant to Article 172 of the Treaty,