The FAA Modernization and Reform Act required US carriers that operate scheduled passenger service or public charter service using any aircraft with a design capacity of 30 or more seats, and operators of large hub, medium hub, small hub, or non-hub US airports, to submit contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays to the Secretary of Transportation for review and approval no later than May 14, 2012. The Act also requires each covered carrier and airport to ensure public access to its plan after DOT approval by posting the plan on its website. The Act requires U.S. air carriers to submit an updated plan every 3 years and airport operators to submit an updated plan every 5 years. The Department is seeking OMB approval for the submission and posting of these plans under the PRA clearance process.
US Code:
49 USC 423
Name of Law: FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012
There is an overall decrease in burden because the respondents were required to file plans at the time the statute was implemented (2012) and the time/costs were higher when they first filed. Now that most airlines and airports have filed plans the time to file and post plans is less. Only new entrants will have a higher burden associated with filing their plans (2 hours vs. .5 hours) and there are limited new entrants to the market. Also note that the number of respondents was recalculated after the 30 day notice was filed. The calculations are based on the number of airlines and airports that are currently listed as needing to submit and post plans that are in our database. Finally, burden hours and costs were recalculated based on category of filer (e.g. airport and airlines) as airports are required to file/post every 5 years and airlines are required to file/post every 3 years.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.