60 day Federal Register Notice

[Federal Register: June 5, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 109)]
[Notices]
[Page 32078-32080]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jn08-118]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

[RITA 2007-27185 Paperwork Reduction Notice]

Research and Innovative Technology Administration; Agency
Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Report of Traffic
and Capacity Statistics--The T-100 System

AGENCY: Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA),
Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public
Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general
public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the
continuing need for and usefulness of DOT requiring U.S. and foreign
air carriers to file traffic and capacity data pursuant to 14 CFR
241.19 and Part 217, respectively. These reports are used to measure
air transportation activity to, from, and within the United States.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by August 4, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number

[[Page 32079]]

RITA 2007-27185 by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Instructions: Identify docket number, RITA 2007-27185, at the
beginning of your comments, and send two copies. To receive
confirmation that DOT received your comments, include a self-addressed
stamped postcard. Internet users may access all comments received by
DOT at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov. All comments are posted
electronically without change or edits, including any personal
information provided.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://DocketInfo.dot.gov.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov. or the street
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
dockets.

Electronic Access

An electronic copy of this rule, a copy of the notice of proposed
rulemaking, and copies of the comments may be downloaded at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov, by searching docket RITA 3 2007-27185.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bernard Stankus, Office of Airline
Information, RTS-42, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Research and
Innovative Technology Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590-0001, Telephone Number (202) 366-4387, Fax Number
(202) 366-3383 or E-mail bernard.stankus@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Approval No. 2138-0040.
Title: Report of Traffic and Capacity Statistics--The T-100 System.
Form No.: Schedules T-100 and T-100(f).
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Certificated, Commuter and Foreign air carriers that
operate to, from or within the United States.
Number of Respondents: 250.
Total Burden Per Response: 6 hours.
Total Annual Burden: 18,000 hours.
Needs and Uses:

Airport Improvement

The Federal Aviation Administration uses enplanement data for U.S.
airports to distribute the annual Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
entitlement funds to eligible primary airports, i.e., airports which
account for more than 0.01 percent of the total passengers enplaned at
U.S. airports. Enplanement data contained in Schedule T-100/T-100(f)
are the sole data base used by the FAA in determining airport funding.
U.S. airports receiving significant service from foreign air carriers
operating small aircraft could be receiving less than their fair share
of AIP entitlement funds. Collecting Schedule T-100(f) data for small
aircraft operations will enable the FAA to more fairly distribute these
funds.

Air Carrier Safety

The FAA uses traffic, operational and capacity data as important
safety indicators and to prepare the air carrier traffic and operation
forecasts that are used in developing its budget and staffing plans,
facility and equipment funding levels, and environmental impact and
policy studies. The FAA monitors changes in the number of air carrier
operations as a way to allocate inspection resources and in making
decisions as to increased safety surveillance. Similarly, airport
activity statistics are used by the FAA to develop airport profiles and
establish priorities for airport inspections.

Acquisitions and Mergers

While the Justice Department has the primary responsibility over
air carrier acquisitions and mergers, the Department reviews the
transfer of international routes involved to determine if they would
substantially reduce competition, or determine if the transaction would
be inconsistent with the public interest. In making these
determinations, the proposed transaction's effect on competition in the
markets served by the affected air carriers is analyzed. This analysis
includes, among other things, a consideration of the volume of traffic
and available capacity, the flight segments and origins-destinations
involved, and the existence of entry barriers, such as limited airport
slots or gate capacity. Also included is a review of the volume of
traffic handled by each air carrier at specific airports and in
specific markets which would be affected by the proposed acquisition or
merger. The Justice Department uses T-100 data in carrying out its
responsibilities relating to airline competition and consolidation.
Recently, the House and Senate Subcommittees on Aviation have
reviewed market data in assessing possible mergers between major
airlines.

Traffic Forecasting

The FAA uses traffic, operational and capacity data as important
safety indicators and to prepare the air carrier traffic and operation
forecasts. These forecasts are used by the FAA, airport managers, the
airlines and others in the air travel industry as planning and
budgeting tools.

Airport Capacity Analysis

The mix of aircraft type are used in determining the practical
annual capacity (PANCAP) at airports as prescribed in the FAA Advisory
Circular Airport Capacity Criteria Used in Preparing the National
Airport Plan. The PANCAP is a safety-related measure of the annual
airport capacity or level of operations. It is a predictive measure
which indicates potential capacity problems, delays, and possible
airport expansions or runway construction needs. If the level of
operations at an airport exceeds PANCAP significantly, the frequency
and length of delays will increase, with a potential concurrent risk of
accidents. Under this program, the FAA develops ways of increasing
airport capacity at congested airports.

Airline Industry Status Evaluations

The Department apprises Congress, the Administration and others of
the effect major changes or innovations are having on the air
transportation industry. For this purpose, summary traffic and capacity
data as well as the detailed segment and market data are essential.
These data must be timely and inclusive to be relevant for analyzing
emerging issues and must be based upon 6 uniform and reliable data
submissions that are consistent with the Department's regulatory
requirements.

Mail Rates

The Department is responsible for establishing international and
intra-Alaska mail rates. International mail rates are set based on
scheduled operations in four geographic areas: Trans-border, Latin
America, operations

[[Page 32080]]

over the Atlantic Ocean and operations over the Pacific Ocean. Separate
rates are set for mainline and bush Alaskan operations. The rates are
updated every six months to reflect changes in unit costs in each rate-
making entity. Traffic and capacity data are used in conjunction with
cost data to develop the required unit cost data.

Essential Air Service

The Department reassesses service levels at small domestic
communities to assure that capacity levels are adequate to accommodate
current demand.

System Planning at Airports

The FAA is charged with administering a series of grants that are
designed to accomplish the necessary airport planning for future
development and growth. These grants are made to state metropolitan and
regional aviation authorities to fund needed airport systems planning
work. Individual airport activity statistics, nonstop market data, and
service segment data are used to prepare airport activity level
forecasts.

Review of IATA Agreements

The Department reviews all of the International Air Transport
Association (IATA) agreements that relate to fares, rates, and rules
for international air transportation to ensure that the agreements meet
the public interest criteria. Current and historic summary traffic and
capacity data, such as revenue ton-miles and available ton-miles, by
aircraft type, type of service, and length of haul are needed to
conduct these analyses to: (1) Develop the volume elements for
passenger/cargo cost allocations, (2) evaluate fluctuations in volume
of scheduled and charter services, (3) assess the competitive impact of
different operations such as charter versus scheduled, (4) calculate
load factors by aircraft type, and (5) monitor traffic in specific
markets.

Foreign Air Carriers Applications

Foreign air carriers are required to submit applications for
authority to operate to the United States. In reviewing these
applications the Department must find that the requested authority is
encompassed in a bilateral agreement, other intergovernmental
understanding, or that granting the application is in the public
interest. In the latter cases, T-100 data are used in assessing the
level of benefits that carriers of the applicant's homeland presently
are receiving from their U.S. operations. These benefits are compared
and balanced against the benefits U.S. carriers receive from their
operations to the applicant's homeland.

Air Carrier Fitness

The Department determines whether U.S. air carriers are and
continue to be fit, willing and able to conduct air service operations
without undue risk to passengers and shippers. The Department monitors
a carrier's load factor, operational, and enplanement data to compare
with other carriers with similar operating characteristics. Carriers
that expand operations at a high rate are monitored more closely for
safety reasons.

International Civil Aviation Organization

Pursuant to an international agreement, the United States is
obligated to report certain air carrier data to the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO). The traffic data supplied to ICAO are
extracted from the U.S. air carriers' Schedule T-100 submissions.
The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency
Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note), requires a statistical agency to
clearly identify information it collects for non-statistical purposes.
BTS hereby notifies the respondents and the public that BTS uses the
information it collects under this OMB approval for non-statistical
purposes including, but not limited to, publication of both
Respondent's identity and its data, submission of the information to
agencies outside BTS for review, analysis and possible use in
regulatory and other administrative matters.

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 28, 2008.
Marianne Seguin,
Acting Assistant Deputy Director, Airline Information, Bureau of
Transportation Statistics.
[FR Doc. E8-12604 Filed 6-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-HY-P