EasyJet is being investigated over allegations that the low-cost airline has been infringing French employment legislation, the public prosecutor's office of Creteil, near Paris, said on Friday.

A legal representative of the company will be brought before a magistrate in Creteil on Friday evening to be notified that the company will be placed under investigation.

According to the prosecutor's office, a preliminary investigation showed that 130 easyJet employees at Orly Airport outside Paris worked under a British contract, infringing French legislation.

EasyJet said representatives of French authorities visited its crew room at Orly on Thursday and interviewed managers and crew about the firm's French business activities.

The company said it was not yet clear what the exact line of inquiry was, but that it was understood to focus on easyJet's compliance with French labor laws.

"EasyJet finds this action surprising, since we believe that easyJet complies fully with UK, French and EU law," the company said.

It added that EU regulations clearly state that workers employed in international transport, including aviation personnel, should be subject to the regulation of the state in which their employer has its registered office.

"This is common practice in an industry that is by nature more international than most other sectors, and is applied by traditional and low-fares airlines alike," easyJet said.