05-8617. Notice of Request for Extension of a Previously Approved Collection

AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Department of Transportation's (DOT) intention to request extension of a previously approved information collection.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received June 28, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by Docket No. OST-2005-21074 by any of the following methods.

• Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for this information collection. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information, see the Public Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to http://dms.dot.gov including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading under Regulatory Notes.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Torlanda Archer, Office of the Secretary, Office of International Aviation, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Aviation Charter Rules.

OMB Control Number: 2106-0005.

Expiration Date: January 31, 2006.

Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved information collection.

Abstract: In 14 CFR part 380 (adopted in 1979) of its Special Regulations, the Department established the terms and conditions governing the furnishing of Public Charters in air transportation by direct air carriers and Public Charter operators. Public Charter operators arrange transportation for groups of persons on aircraft chartered from direct air carriers. This arrangement is less expensive for the travelers than individually buying a ticket. Further, the charter operator books hotel rooms, tours, etc., at the destination for the convenience of the traveler. Part 380 exempts charter operators from certain provisions of the U.S. code in order that they may provide this service. A primary goal of part 380 is to seek protection for the consumer. Accordingly, the rule stipulates that the charter operator must file evidence (a prospectus) with the Department for each charter program certifying that it has entered into a binding contract with a direct air carrier to provide air transportation and that it has also entered into agreements with Department-approved financial institutions for the protection of charter participants' funds. The prospectus must be approved by the Department prior to the operator's advertising, selling or operating the charter. The forms (OST Forms 4532, 4533, 4535 and 4535) that comprise the operator's filing are the information collections at issue here. The collection involved here under 14 CFR part 380 requests general information about the charter operator and direct air carrier that will provide a Public Charter and requires each to certify that it has contracted with the other to provide air transportation. The routing, charter price and tour itinerary of the proposed charter are also identified. The collection also requires the charter operator, direct air carrier and financial institution(s) involved to certify that proper financial instruments are in place or other arrangements have been made to protect the charter participants' funds and that all parties will abide by the Department's Public Charter regulations.

Respondents: Public Charter operators.

Estimated Total Burden on Respondents: 1,343 hours.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 316.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the continued collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the current information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information being collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Issued in Washington, DC on April 22, 2005.

Charles W. McGuire,

Chief, Special Authorities.