[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 129 (Thursday, July 6, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 35158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16682]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 234

[Docket 50053]
RIN 2137-AC67


Airline Service Quality Performance Reports

AGENCY: Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Bureau of Transportation 
Statistics is extending from July 5 to August 5, 1995, the deadline for 
submitting comments to the notice of proposed rulemaking concerning 
reporting by air carriers concerning their on-time performance.

DATES: Comments are now due August 5, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in duplicate to the Docket 
Clerk, Docket 50053, room PL 401, Office of the Secretary, Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernard Stankus, Office of Airline 
Information, K-25, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-4387.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 5, 1995 (60 FR 29514), the Office of 
Airline Statistics, Research and Special Programs Administration of DOT 
(now the Office of Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation 
Statistics; see 60 FR 30195, June 8, 1995) published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the on-time flight performance 
reporting requirements. The central issue was whether air carriers 
should exclude mechanical delays from their on-time performance report. 
The public was given 30 days to respond to the NPRM.
    On June 28, 1995, the Department received three different requests 
for extension of the comment period. In a letter to Secretary Pena, 
Senator Mark O. Hatfield asked that the comment period be extended 60 
days. He noted that when DOT proposed changes to the on-time report 
process in the past, the docket was open for substantially longer 
periods of time. He further stated that the current proposal merits the 
same type of thoughtful and thorough review by all interested parties.
    In a second letter to Secretary Pena, the National Consumers League 
asked that the comment period be extended for 60 days. It stated that 
it only recently became aware of the proposed change to exclude 
mechanical delays and cancellations from the carrier on-time 
performance ratings. Because on-time performance is now the number one 
concern of business travelers, the National Consumers League believes 
the public should be given more time to respond to the rulemaking.
    American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and USAir filed 
a joint submission asking the Department to extend the comment period 
to September 5, 1995. The joint carriers stated that they need 
additional time to prepare comments that fully take into account the 
history of this issue, as well as the merits of the Department's 
proposal. In addition, they note that we are now entering the peak 
vacation period and that critical personnel have not been available 
during the full period between issuance of the NPRM and the current 
comment closing date.
    Two answers were filed opposing the extension. Southwest Airlines 
stated that the joint carriers failed to provide a credible basis for 
an extension and criticized the last minute nature of the filing. It 
stated that the ``peak vacation period'' argument is both unconvincing 
and irrelevant, and that the carriers are seeking a lengthy extension 
in order to delay a ruling. They concluded by stating that all parties 
deserve certainty on this issue instead of an unending period of 
further debate and skirmishing.
    Northwest Airlines strongly opposed the request for extension. It 
stated that the Department has before it a pressing safety issue that 
requires immediate action, and that neither procrastination nor 
vacation schedules should stand in the way of the Department's 
resolution of this issue.
    We are granting a one-month extension. This action serves to 
facilitate the submission of informed comments, while not unduly 
delaying the proceeding. DOT believes this action will not prejudice 
the position of any party.

    Issued in Washington on June 30, 1995.
Timothy E. Carmody,
Acting Director, Office of Airline Information, Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics.
[FR Doc. 95-16682 Filed 7-3-95; 11:26 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P