2019-25087. Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Air Taxi and Commercial Operator Airport Activity Survey

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves requesting that small on-demand operators voluntarily provide the number of revenue passengers that boarded their aircraft at each airport annually. This information is used in determining an airport's category and eligibility for federal funding on an annual basis. It is not available through any other federal data source. The 60-day FRN was published on August 16, 2019.

DATES:

Written comments should be submitted by December 20, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Please send written comments:

By electronic docket: www.regulations.gov (2019-0640).

By mail: Luis Loarte, FAA, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591.

By fax: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Luis Loarte by email at: [e-mail]; phone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

OMB Control Number: 2120-0067.

Title: Air Taxi and Commercial Operator Airport Activity Survey.

Form Numbers: FAA Form 1800-31.

Type of Review: Clearance of a renewal of an information collection.

Background: The data collected through this survey is the only source of data for charter and nonscheduled passenger data by Part 135 operator (air taxis). The data received on the form (either paper or signed electronic copy) is then incorporated into the Air Carrier Activity Information System which is used to determine whether an airport is eligible for Airport Improvement Program funds and for calculating primary airport sponsor apportionment as specified by title 49 United Stated Code (U.S.C.), section 47114. The data collected on the form includes passenger enplanements by carrier and by airport. Passengers traveling on air taxis would be overlooked entirely if this passenger survey were not conducted. As a result, many airports would not receive their fair share of funds since there is currently no other source for this type of charter activity. On average, approximately 100 operators respond each year, reporting a total 1.1 million passengers. This data is important to those airports that struggle to meet the 2,500 and 10,000 passenger levels and could not do so without the reporting of the charter passengers. The 60-day FRN was published on August 16, 2019 under FRN document citation number 2019-0640.

Respondents: The voluntary survey is sent through the U.S. Postal Service to approximately 190 small on-demand operators (certificated under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 135) that have reported activity in the last three years. The form is also available on the FAA website. Beginning with the calendar year 2019 data, operators will be able to access the form, electronically sign and submit it to the FAA.

Frequency: Annually.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 1.5 hours per respondent.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: On average, approximately 100 respondents submit an annual response. The cumulative total annual burden is estimated to be 150 hours.

Issued in Washington, DC, on November 14, 2019.

Luis Loarte,

Senior Airport Planner, Office of Airports/Airport Planning and Environmental Division.