Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Report of Financial and Operating Statistics for Small Aircraft Operators, 88863-88864 [2024-25926]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 217 / Friday, November 8, 2024 / Notices process the data and to submit the report through DOT’s electronic submission system. In addition, the estimated total annual burden is based on the assumption that most respondents employ automated processes to record that an item enplaned is a wheelchair or scooter for the purposes of reporting data on wheelchairs and scooters to DOT. For a carrier that manually records this information, such as by having their agent type information describing a wheelchair or scooter into the airline’s system, DOT estimates that the airline would spend approximately 5 seconds (.00138 hours) per item to manually enter the data.3 DOT estimates that 12,000 Wheelchairs and scooters total are recorded manually per year. Administrative Issues 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 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. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Comments Invited We invite comments on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DOT, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of DOT’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. 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 on the docket. 3 The Final Rule to Amend Rules Requiring Reporting of Mishandled Baggage, Regulatory Impact Analysis, October 18, 2016, estimated a data entry burden of 5 seconds per wheelchair or scooter recorded manually. See Docket No. RITA–2011– 0001. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:38 Nov 07, 2024 Jkt 265001 Issued this 4th day of November 2024 at Washington, DC. Rolf Schmitt, Acting Director, Office of Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. [FR Doc. 2024–25927 Filed 11–7–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Bureau of Transportation Statistics [Docket ID Number DOT–OST–2014–0031] Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Report of Financial and Operating Statistics for Small Aircraft Operators Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of BTS collecting financial, traffic and operating statistics from small certificated and commuter air carriers. Small certificated air carriers (operate aircraft with 60 seats or less or with 18,000 pounds of payload capacity or less) currently must file the two quarterly schedules: F–1 ‘‘Report of Financial Data’’, F–2 ‘‘Report of Aircraft Operating Expenses and Related Statistics’’, and Commuter air carriers must file the Schedule F–1 ‘‘Report of Financial Data’’. Commenters should address whether BTS accurately estimated the reporting burden and if there are other ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected. DATES: Written comments should be submitted by January 7, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cecelia Robinson, Office of Airline Information, RTS–42, Room E34–110, OST–R, BTS, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001, telephone number (202) 893–0515, fax number (202) 366–3383 or email cecelia.robinson@dot.gov. Jennifer Rodes, Office of Airline Information, RTS–42, Room E32–103, OST–R, BTS, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001, telephone number (202) 366–8513, fax number (202) 366–3383 or email Jennifer.rodes@dot.gov. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00167 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 88863 DOT–OST–2014–0031 by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Mail: Docket Services: 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: 202–366–3383. Instructions: Identify docket number, DOT–OST–2014–0031, at the beginning of your comments, and send two copies. To receive confirmation that DOT received your comments, include a selfaddressed stamped postcard. Internet users may access all comments received by DOT at https://www.regulations.gov. All comments are posted electronically without charge or edits, including any personal information provided. Comments: Comments should identify the associated OMB approval #2138– 0009 and Docket ID Number DOT–OST– 2014–0031. Persons wishing the Department 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 #2138–0009, Docket—DOT–OST–2014– 0031. The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned. 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). Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov or the street address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. Electronic Access: You may access comments received for this notice at https://www.regulations.gov, by searching docket DOT–OST–2014–0031. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Approval No.: 2138–0009. Title: Report of Financial and Operating Statistics for Small Aircraft Operators. Form No.: BTS Form 298–C. E:\FR\FM\08NON1.SGM 08NON1 88864 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 217 / Friday, November 8, 2024 / Notices Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection for the financial data. Respondents: Small certificated (28) and commuter air carriers (33). Schedule F1 Number of Respondents: 61. Number of Annual responses: 244. Total Burden per Response: 4 hours. Total Annual Burden: 976 hours. Schedule F2 Number of Respondents: 28. Number of Annual responses: 112. Total Burden per Response: 12 hours. Total Annual Burden: 1,344 hours. Needs and Uses: Program uses for Form 298–C financial data are as follows: Mail Rates The Department of Transportation sets and updates the Intra-Alaska Bush mail rates based on carrier aircraft operating expense, traffic, and operational data. Form 298–C cost data, especially fuel costs, terminal expenses, and line haul expenses are used in arriving at rate levels. DOT revises the established rates based on the percentage of unit cost changes in the carriers’ operations. These updating procedures have resulted in the carrier’s receiving rates of compensation that more closely parallel their costs of providing mail service and contribute to the carriers’ economic well-being. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Essential Air Service DOT often has to select a carrier to provide a community’s essential air VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:38 Nov 07, 2024 Jkt 265001 service. The selection criteria include historic presence in the community, reliability of service, financial stability and cost structure of the air carrier. Carrier Fitness Fitness determinations are made for both new entrants and established U.S. domestic carriers proposing a substantial change in operations. A portion of these applications consists of an operating plan for the first year (14 CFR part 204) and an associated projection of revenues and expenses. The carrier’s operating costs, included in these projections, are compared against the cost data in Form 298–C for a carrier or carriers with the same aircraft type and similar operating characteristics. Such a review validates the reasonableness of the carrier’s operating plan. The quarterly financial submissions by commuter and small certificated air carriers are used in determining each carrier’s continuing fitness to operate. Section 41738 of title 49 of the United States Code requires DOT to find all commuter and small certificated air carriers fit, willing, and able to conduct passenger service as a prerequisite to providing such service to an eligible essential air service point. In making a fitness determination, DOT reviews three areas of a carrier’s operation: (1) the qualifications of its management team, (2) its disposition to comply with laws and regulations, and (3) its financial posture. DOT must determine whether or not a carrier has sufficient financial resources to conduct its PO 00000 Frm 00168 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 operations without imposing undue risk on the traveling public. Moreover, once a carrier begins conducting flight operations, DOT is required to monitor its continuing fitness. Senior DOT officials must be kept fully informed and advised of all current and developing economic issues affecting the airline industry. In preparing financial condition reports or status reports on a particular airline, financial and traffic data are analyzed. Briefing papers prepared for senior DOT officials may use the same information. 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, November 4, 2024. Rolf Schmitt, Acting Director, Office of Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation Statistics. [FR Doc. 2024–25926 Filed 11–7–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P E:\FR\FM\08NON1.SGM 08NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88863-88864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25926]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

[Docket ID Number DOT-OST-2014-0031]


Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Report 
of Financial and Operating Statistics for Small Aircraft Operators

AGENCY: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, 
industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing 
need for and usefulness of BTS collecting financial, traffic and 
operating statistics from small certificated and commuter air carriers. 
Small certificated air carriers (operate aircraft with 60 seats or less 
or with 18,000 pounds of payload capacity or less) currently must file 
the two quarterly schedules: F-1 ``Report of Financial Data'', F-2 
``Report of Aircraft Operating Expenses and Related Statistics'', and 
Commuter air carriers must file the Schedule F-1 ``Report of Financial 
Data''. Commenters should address whether BTS accurately estimated the 
reporting burden and if there are other ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information collected.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by January 7, 2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Cecelia Robinson, Office of Airline Information, RTS-42, Room E34-
110, OST-R, BTS, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, 
telephone number (202) 893-0515, fax number (202) 366-3383 or email 
[email protected].
    Jennifer Rodes, Office of Airline Information, RTS-42, Room E32-
103, OST-R, BTS, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, 
telephone number (202) 366-8513, fax number (202) 366-3383 or email 
[email protected].

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number 
DOT-OST-2014-0031 by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Docket Services: 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: 202-366-3383.
    Instructions: Identify docket number, DOT-OST-2014-0031, 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 https://www.regulations.gov. All comments are posted 
electronically without charge or edits, including any personal 
information provided.
    Comments: Comments should identify the associated OMB approval 
#2138-0009 and Docket ID Number DOT-OST-2014-0031. Persons wishing the 
Department 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 #2138-0009, Docket--DOT-OST-2014-
0031. The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned.
    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).
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the street 
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the 
dockets.
    Electronic Access: You may access comments received for this notice 
at https://www.regulations.gov, by searching docket DOT-OST-2014-0031.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Approval No.: 2138-0009.
    Title: Report of Financial and Operating Statistics for Small 
Aircraft Operators.
    Form No.: BTS Form 298-C.

[[Page 88864]]

    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection for 
the financial data.
    Respondents: Small certificated (28) and commuter air carriers 
(33).

Schedule F1

    Number of Respondents: 61.
    Number of Annual responses: 244.
    Total Burden per Response: 4 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 976 hours.

Schedule F2

    Number of Respondents: 28.
    Number of Annual responses: 112.
    Total Burden per Response: 12 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 1,344 hours.
    Needs and Uses: Program uses for Form 298-C financial data are as 
follows:

Mail Rates

    The Department of Transportation sets and updates the Intra-Alaska 
Bush mail rates based on carrier aircraft operating expense, traffic, 
and operational data. Form 298-C cost data, especially fuel costs, 
terminal expenses, and line haul expenses are used in arriving at rate 
levels. DOT revises the established rates based on the percentage of 
unit cost changes in the carriers' operations. These updating 
procedures have resulted in the carrier's receiving rates of 
compensation that more closely parallel their costs of providing mail 
service and contribute to the carriers' economic well-being.

Essential Air Service

    DOT often has to select a carrier to provide a community's 
essential air service. The selection criteria include historic presence 
in the community, reliability of service, financial stability and cost 
structure of the air carrier.

Carrier Fitness

    Fitness determinations are made for both new entrants and 
established U.S. domestic carriers proposing a substantial change in 
operations. A portion of these applications consists of an operating 
plan for the first year (14 CFR part 204) and an associated projection 
of revenues and expenses. The carrier's operating costs, included in 
these projections, are compared against the cost data in Form 298-C for 
a carrier or carriers with the same aircraft type and similar operating 
characteristics. Such a review validates the reasonableness of the 
carrier's operating plan.
    The quarterly financial submissions by commuter and small 
certificated air carriers are used in determining each carrier's 
continuing fitness to operate. Section 41738 of title 49 of the United 
States Code requires DOT to find all commuter and small certificated 
air carriers fit, willing, and able to conduct passenger service as a 
prerequisite to providing such service to an eligible essential air 
service point. In making a fitness determination, DOT reviews three 
areas of a carrier's operation: (1) the qualifications of its 
management team, (2) its disposition to comply with laws and 
regulations, and (3) its financial posture. DOT must determine whether 
or not a carrier has sufficient financial resources to conduct its 
operations without imposing undue risk on the traveling public. 
Moreover, once a carrier begins conducting flight operations, DOT is 
required to monitor its continuing fitness.
    Senior DOT officials must be kept fully informed and advised of all 
current and developing economic issues affecting the airline industry. 
In preparing financial condition reports or status reports on a 
particular airline, financial and traffic data are analyzed. Briefing 
papers prepared for senior DOT officials may use the same information.
    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, November 4, 2024.
Rolf Schmitt,
Acting Director, Office of Airline Information, Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2024-25926 Filed 11-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P
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