E7-17497. Research and Innovative Technology Administration; Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Airline Service Quality Performance-Part 234

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requiring large certificated air carriers to file “On-Time Flight Performance Reports” and “Mishandled-Baggage Reports” pursuant to 14 CFR 234.4 and 234.6. These reports are used to monitor the quality of air service that major air carriers are providing the flying public.

DATES:

Written comments should be submitted by November 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by RITA docket number OST-2007-26835 to the Docket Management Facility at the U.S. Department of Transportation. To avoid duplication, please use only one of the following methods:

Web site: http://dms.dot.gov (electronic submission).

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

Fax: [phone].

Delivery: Room W12-140 in the West Tower of the U.S. Department of Transportation Headquarters Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 202-493-0402.

Instructions for Comments: Comments should identify the OMB # 2138-0041. Persons wishing the DOT to acknowledge receipt of their comments must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: Comments on OMB # 2138-0041. The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bernie Stankus, Office of Airline Information at [phone], or by mail at the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., E-34, RTS-42, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval No.: 2138-0041.

Title: Airline Service Quality Performance—Part 234.

Form No.: BTS Form 234.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Large certificated air carriers that account for at least 1 percent of the domestic scheduled passenger revenues.

Number of Respondents: 20.

Total Burden Per Response: 20 hours.

Total Annual Burden: 4,800 hours.

Needs and Uses:

Consumer Information

Part 234 gives air travelers information concerning their chances of on-time flights and the rate of mishandled baggage by the 20 largest scheduled domestic passenger carriers.

Reducing and Identifying Traffic Delays

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses Part 234 data to pinpoint and analyze air traffic delays. Wheels-up and wheels-down times are used in conjunction with departure and arrival times to show the extent of ground delays. Actual elapsed flight time, wheels-down minus wheels-up time, is compared to scheduled elapsed flight time to identify airborne delays. The reporting of aircraft tail number allows the FAA to track an aircraft through the air network, which enables the FAA to study the ripple effects of delays at hub airports. The data can be analyzed for airport design changes, new equipment purchases, the planning of new runways or airports based on current and projected airport delays, and traffic levels. The identification of the reason for delays allows the FAA, airport operators, and air carriers to pinpoint delays under their control.

Currently, BTS has an open docket 28522, which requests comments on how the DOT can improve this data collection. Specifically, should the DOT collect additional information regarding tarmac delays when the flight returns to the airport gate, when the flight is diverted or when the flight is cancelled. After the comments are reviewed, the DOT will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking, if necessary, and a new Information Collection Package will be sent to OMB.

The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501), 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 statistical and non-statistical purposes. Purposes include, but are 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 August 29, 2007.

Marianne Seguin,

Acting Assistant Director, Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.