[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18070-18075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9960]



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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary

14 CFR Part 221

[Docket No. 50355; Notice No. 12]
RIN 2105-AC23


Electronic Filing of International Airline Passenger Rules 
Tariffs

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This rule authorizes airlines to electronically file tariff 
rules governing availability of passenger fares and their conditions of 
service, subject to certain minimal format requirements. The 
Department's regulations have permitted the electronic filing of 
passenger fares since 1989. The Department is undertaking this action 
in support of the administration's campaign to reinvent government and 
at the request of tariff publishing agents in order to extend the 
efficiencies of electronic data transmission and processing to the 
filing of passenger rules tariffs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation is effective on April 24, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Keith A. Shangraw or Mr. John H. 
Kiser, Office of the Secretary, Office of International Aviation, 
Pricing and Multilateral Affairs Division, Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. 
Telephone: (202) 366-2435.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On May 19, 1995, the Department published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) to authorize electronic filing of airline tariff 
rules governing international passenger fares and the general 
conditions of service associated with their use (60 FR 26848). The 
proposed action would largely eliminate the filing of paper tariff 
rules, an archaic system that no longer meets the data transmission and 
processing requirements of the industry or the Department. In addition, 
it will save the airline industry over a million dollars in tariff 
submission, printing and distribution costs and will substantially 
reduce the Department's review, filing and storage expenses.
    The Department's regulations have permitted the electronic filing 
of

[[Page 18071]]

international passenger fare levels and associated data in tariffs 
since 1989, as an alternative to the filing of paper fares tariffs (54 
FR 2087, January 19, 1989).1 The regulation, contained in Subpart 
W of Part 221, established a number of criteria that must be met for 
carriers or their agents to make such filings, including a signed 
agreement or agreements providing for the maintenance and security of 
the on-line tariff database. Approval by the Department of an 
application containing various hardware and software service 
commitments, as well as the filer's proposed format, is also required.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Associated data include arbitraries, footnotes, routing 
numbers and fare class explanations. See 14 CFR sections 221.4 and 
221.283.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ATPCO, a publishing agent owned by and representing a number of 
U.S. and foreign airlines, was initially the only entity that applied 
for authority to make electronic fare filings under the rule. In 
December 1989, it received final approval from the Department to 
commence official electronic filings. On November 28, 1990, ATPCO filed 
a petition for rulemaking in Docket 47288, requesting the amendment of 
Part 221 to permit the alternative electronic filing of all 
international tariffs. The petition included suggested regulatory 
changes to accommodate the filing of passenger and cargo rules, and 
cargo rates.
    In February 1992, the Department permitted ATPCO to begin filing 
electronic passenger rules that apply to specific fare types on an 
unofficial test basis. The official fare rules, however, continue to be 
filed on paper. In addition, ATPCO has not completed development of 
electronic formats for general passenger rules relating to conditions 
of carriage; these too, continue to be filed on paper.
    By a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published October 15, 1992, in 
Docket 48385, 57 FR 47303, the Department proposed extensive revisions 
to Part 221 to permit the electronic filing of all international 
tariffs. Following a comment period and a public meeting, the proposal 
was withdrawn for further study of various technical issues, and the 
proceeding was terminated. 58 FR 12350, March 4, 1993.

Requests for Further Action

    Since the termination of the 1992 rulemaking, ATPCO has informally 
urged the Department to take whatever actions may be necessary to 
develop the capability for the acceptance and processing of all tariffs 
electronically.
    In addition, another entity demonstrated interest in filing 
international tariffs electronically with the Department. The Societe 
Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques (SITA), a tariff 
publishing service which developed an electronic tariff filing system 
for use in Europe and elsewhere, demonstrated its ProFile system to the 
Department's staff and made modifications to accommodate U.S. 
requirements and procedures. On June 21, 1994, SITA submitted an 
application under section 221.260 for the necessary Department 
approvals to permit it to begin filing international passenger tariffs, 
encompassing fares and rules to the extent authorized by the 
Department, and SITA has filed passenger fares on an unofficial test 
basis. However, on November 10, 1995, SITA withdrew its application, 
stating that its proposed filing service has not encountered the 
anticipated international endorsement by government authorities and 
airlines.

The Proposal

    In the May 1995 NPRM the Department proposed to amend section 
221.251 of Subpart W of its tariff filing regulations, 14 CFR Part 221, 
to authorize the electronic filing by all airlines and tariff 
publishing agents of any or all rules relating to the provision of 
passenger services.2 Like the filing of passenger fare levels 
already authorized, this alternative to the traditional paper format 
and procedures set forth in Part 221 would be permissive in nature, and 
would be governed by the provisions of Subpart W. This Subpart would 
authorize the electronic filing of all tariff material relating to 
passenger services that airlines are required to file with the 
Department, although the existing requirements for final approval of a 
particular electronic tariff filing system and its associated formats, 
set forth in Subpart W, must be complied with before the Department 
will accept authorized electronic filings as official tariffs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The proposed amendment to section 221.251, as drafted, did 
not encompass the filing of cargo rates and rules tariffs. By a 
final rule issued November 30, 1995, the Department exempted all 
carriers from the statutory and regulatory duty to file 
international property (cargo) tariffs with the Department, and the 
carriers ceased filing all cargo rates and rules tariffs on that 
date (60 FR 61472).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department also proposed to amend section 221.283 of subpart W 
to add certain minimum tariff format requirements to provide a basic 
working framework for the processing of tariff rules, which differ from 
fare filings in many technical respects. The existing format 
requirements set forth in section 221.283(b)(8), developed largely for 
the processing of fares and associated data, would not be changed but 
would be described as specifically applicable to the filing of fares. 
The new format requirements for the filing of rules would be set forth 
in a new section 221.283(b)(9).3 The provisions would not 
necessarily have to be presented in the same order as listed in 
proposed section 221.283(b)(9), but each rule would have to include at 
least all of the listed provisions.4 Consequential amendments 
would be made to provisions regarding maintenance of historical data 
(paragraph (c) of section 221.283, and section 221.260(b)(7)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The NPRM also noted that most individual format issues have 
been and will continue to be resolved through consultations between 
the Department and individual filing agents, as provided in section 
221.260(b)(1) of the current regulations. However, the Department 
recognizes that there may be a need to propose further amendments to 
Part 221 to deal comprehensively with general format and procedural 
issues, as well as with the question of the appropriate filing fees 
to be charged in the future, as soon as more data and experience are 
available.
    \4\ We would consider each provision of an electronic tariff 
rule to be a ``record'' for purposes of assessing filing fees under 
14 CFR sections 389.20(b) and 389.25(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Three format issues were raised for comment in the NPRM. First, our 
proposed format criteria did not address the filing format of so-called 
``general'' fare rules and ``unpublished fare'' rules. General fare 
rules typically include provisions, applicable to all passengers, 
relating to general conditions of carriage such as liability, baggage, 
fare construction, and refunds. Unpublished fare rules typically 
establish discounts for certain classes of traffic not limited to 
specific markets, e.g., children and infants, agents, tour conductors, 
emigrants and cargo attendants. Electronic formats for filing general 
and unpublished fare rules are still under development by the industry.
    Second, we proposed not to accept ``Intentionally Left Blank'' as a 
category entry in an electronic fare rule, nor would we accept the 
complete omission of a rule category to serve as a default to a general 
rule.5 These practices, which have been a source of confusion in 
the paper filing environment, would become increasingly confusing in an 
environment where the fare rules are filed electronically but the 
general rules are still filed on paper. Where carriers wish to default 
to a general rule for a particular condition, we proposed to require 
that electronic rules contain a specific entry for each category in the 
rule. The entry could be either a specific reference to the relevant 
general rule or

[[Page 18072]]

specific conditions extracted from the general rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Under the Department's interpretation, where a particular 
provision is intentionally left blank in a rule, no such provision 
applies to the fare covered by the rule. For example, where the 
``group requirements'' section is left blank, it means there are no 
group requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Third, in the test electronic rules we have received thus far, 
carriers have been including some extraneous material that is not 
properly part of a tariff and of which we take no regulatory notice, 
e.g., provisions concerning ticket and booking codes and annotations, 
wait listing procedures, and reservation record requirements. We 
recognize that carriers submit such material to their filing agents 
along with associated fare and rule changes for non-regulatory 
purposes, such as notifying computer reservations systems of the 
carrier's technical procedures. However, this extraneous material is 
not approved by the Department, and its inclusion in official 
electronic rules would cause confusion. Therefore, our proposal 
precluded inclusion of such material in official electronic tariff 
filings.

Comments

    We received comments on our proposal from Aer Lingus; Air France; 
ATPCO; American Airlines, Inc.; British Airways, PLC; SITA; United Air 
Lines, Inc.; and USAir, Inc.6 In general, all commenters support 
the proposal in principle. Most, however, expressed reservations 
concerning the formatting issues discussed in the NPRM. The formatting 
drawing the most extensive comments from carriers and agents involves 
the filing of ``extraneous material''. ATPCO also commented extensively 
on issues relating to general rule defaults and formats.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The submissions of Aer Lingus and Air France were both 
accompanied by motions to file comments out of time, which we will 
grant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Decision

    We have decided to adopt the rule substantially as proposed. 
However, we will make certain changes regarding the formatting issues 
in response to the comments.

Discussion of Comments and Issues

Scope of the Proposed Rule

    ATPCO requests that the Department take a broader, more flexible 
approach that authorizes electronic filing of all tariff material, 
subject only to DOT's approval of the filer's format, rather than the 
narrow approach, limited to passenger fare rules, it believes has been 
taken here. ATPCO contends that Departmental references to future Part 
221 amendments, relating to general format and procedural issues and to 
filing fees, suggest that the Department is contemplating future 
massive changes to Part 221 which would substantially change 
requirements governing electronic filing. APTCO has no objection if 
these are references to future rulemaking proceedings to ``tie up loose 
ends''. However, it does object if the Department is contemplating 
sweeping changes to electronic filing rules in place. At a minimum, 
ATPCO believes that the Department should explain its future plans for 
adopting a comprehensive electronic tariff-filing rule.
    It appears that ATPCO has misunderstood the scope and intent of our 
NPRM and believes that the proposed rule only authorizes the electronic 
filing of passenger fare rules. In fact, proposed Part 221.251 (a) 
states that ``[a]ny carrier * * * may file its international passenger 
fare tariffs and international passenger rules tariffs electronically * 
* *''. This includes passenger fare rules and general rules. While the 
Department has indicated that additional changes in Part 221 may be 
necessary to deal with general format and procedural issues, we have 
resolved most individual format issues, in the past, through 
consultations with individual filing agents, as provided in section 
221.260(b)(1) of the current regulations, and fully expect to make use 
of this process in the future. Thus ATPCO's general rule format, when 
it is developed, could be reviewed and approved by the Department 
independently of any future amendments to Part 221. The same process 
could also apply to formats for the electronic filing of unpublished 
fare rules and for routing tariffs.

Intentionally Left Blank

    ATPCO also requested elimination of the proposed format criteria 
under which the Department would not accept ``Intentionally Left 
Blank'' as a category entry in an electronic fare rule, or the complete 
omission of a rule category to serve as a default to a general rule. 
While not objecting to the exclusion of ``Intentionally Left Blank'', 
ATPCO is concerned about a required specific reference to the general 
rule or conditions extracted from the general rule. It argues that this 
would impose a greater regulatory burden than is now required for paper 
filings where, in the absence of a provision in a fare rule, the 
general rules tariff applies without the need to specify the general 
rule. In addition, while ATPCO is presently developing a general rules 
format which will provide a ``logical path'' from the fare rule to the 
general rule, it maintains that this will not be operational until the 
second half of 1996. This delay, it contends, should not prevent users 
from reaping the benefits of the electronic filing of fare rules. 
Otherwise, it would have to continue to file its rules on paper until 
its general rules system is operational, or longer if the Department 
requires another rulemaking proceeding.
    As noted in the NPRM, the use of ``Intentionally Left Blank'' can 
be quite misleading, especially in an electronic filing environment. 
This language can be interpreted in two quite different ways: it can be 
perceived to mean that there are no provisions applicable for that rule 
category, or it can be viewed as a default to provisions set forth in 
the general rule. This kind of ambiguity is not acceptable in an 
electronic filing environment. Clarity of tariff material has always 
been a prime objective of the Department's tariff regulations, and we 
affirm our proposal not to accept ``Intentionally Left Blank'' in 
electronic rules. We are, however, mindful of ATPCO's statement that it 
is developing a logical path from the fare rule to the general rule, 
and, therefore, we will not adopt our proposal in the NPRM to require 
that the fare rule contain either a specific reference to the 
applicable portion of the general rule or an actual extract taken from 
the general rule. We believe that any remaining issues related to the 
exclusion of ``Intentionally Left Blank'' can be resolved in the 
context of an application by ATPCO for approval of its specific 
electronic rule filing formats.

``Extraneous Material''

    As noted, the formatting issue prompting the most extensive 
comments from carriers and agents involves the filing of ``extraneous 
material'', such as ticket and booking codes, wait list procedures and 
reservations requirements. In general, ATPCO and the U.S. carriers 
argue that this information is vital not only to carrier CRS's, but 
also to travel agents and the public, since it is essential for the 
proper handling of passenger reservations. ATPCO maintains that its 
existing, unified filing system is designed to present this information 
to all users in the most cost effective, efficient and flexible way. 
However, were the requirement regarding non-filing of extraneous 
material adopted, the respondents contend that ATPCO would have to 
either undertake an expensive and time consuming creation of a separate 
data base for the Department, or would have to continue to file carrier 
fare rules on paper. ATPCO estimates that ``extraneous information'' 
constitutes no more than ten percent of the fare rule information, and 
believes that filing it on a ``for information purposes only'' basis 
would not unduly burden DOT.

[[Page 18073]]

    In addition, SITA, supported by British Airways and Air France, 
asserts that the Department should accept ticket codes and annotations, 
wait listing procedures and reservations record requirements as proper 
material for filing in official electronic tariffs. They contend that 
this material is part of the conditions imposed by the carriers on a 
passenger's use of a fare and, therefore, should be part of the 
official filed tariff. This viewpoint, they argue, is supported by two 
of the new format requirements proposed in the NPRM which would require 
carriers to include specific material relating to reservations/
ticketing and capacity control in their official tariff filings.
    Upon consideration of the comments, we have decided not to preclude 
inclusion of such material in official electronic tariff filings at 
this time, provided that it is sufficiently identified as unofficial 
and non-binding. As a threshold matter, we are not persuaded by SITA 
and the two foreign carriers that this material should be filed for 
approval in official tariffs. While these codes, procedures and other 
provisions may have certain informational value for agents and other 
carriers, they are not needed by the Department to evaluate proper 
tariff material or otherwise perform its regulatory duties, and they 
are not, nor have they ever been, reviewed for legal sufficiency or 
approved in amy manner under our statute. Moreover, we believe that the 
presence of such unofficial material in official filings could 
potentially mislead passengers, courts or other carriers into the 
assumption that it has the binding legal effect normally accorded to 
official tariff material. At the same time, however, we are persuaded 
that requiring the immediate exclusion of such material would create an 
implementation burden and impose additional programming costs on 
carriers and filing agents. While, in the long run, we expect that all 
filers will review their software formats and procedures to minimize 
the amount of extraneous material appearing in official electronic 
filings with the Department, material of the nature may accompany 
tariffs provided that it is clearly identified as ``for information 
only; not part of official tariff'' in a manner acceptable to the 
Department.7 Should confusion persist that such material may be 
binding on carriers and passengers as a matter of statute, we may have 
to take further action to alleviate the problem.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ The determination of whether certain fare rule elements are 
extraneous and not proper tariff material can be complex. Therefore, 
we reserve the right to determine whether material filed ``for 
information only; not part of official tariff'' is proper tariff 
material or not, and to take appropriate regulatory action should we 
decide that it is.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We wish to reiterate that the amendments proposed leave in place 
the procedural and technical requirements of Subpart W, which each 
electronic filer must satisfy before official electronic rule filings 
can be accepted. In addition to those listed in section 221.260, for 
example, are provisions such as those in section 221.500 regarding the 
submission of machine-readable copies of records existing when 
electronic filing is implemented, and the cancellation of records from 
the paper tariff. As noted above, section 221.260 includes the 
requirement that the Department approve the precise format used by each 
electronic filer before official filings can be made. This is normally 
done by letter once a period of successful test filings has been 
accomplished and the Department is satisfied that the filing system 
meets regulatory needs. However, Subpart W also imposes continuing 
performance requirements, violations of which could lead to enforcement 
action or even withdrawal of electronic filing privileges.
    Finally, we would note that the success of electronic rules filing 
will depend on scrupulous adherence to the Department's regulatory 
requirements by both carriers and their filing agents. The Department's 
staff will be closely monitoring performance in this regard, and will 
work with parties to ensure the utility and integrity of the electronic 
tariff system.
    We find good cause to make this rule effective upon publication 
because it allows an alternative means of compliance and relieves 
current restrictions.

Regulatory Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this rule 
is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and, 
therefore, not subject to OMB review. The Department has determined 
that the rule is not significant under the Department's Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 CFR 11034; Feb. 26, 1979). The rule reduces 
the paperwork burden for all U.S. and foreign air carriers now filing 
their passenger rules tariffs on paper. The Department expects the 
economic impact of the rule, however, to be modest. The rule will not 
result in any required additional costs to the carriers or the public. 
It will simply provide an alternative method of meeting the statutory 
tariff-filing requirements. The estimated savings are discussed below.

Executive Order 12612

    This rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 (``Federalism''), and the 
Department has determined the rule does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that this rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The tariff filing 
requirements apply to scheduled service air carriers. The vast majority 
of the air carriers filing international (``foreign'') passenger rules 
tariffs are large operators with revenues in excess of several million 
dollars each year. Small air carriers operating aircraft with 60 seats 
or less and 18,000 pounds payload or less that offer on-demand air-taxi 
service are not required to file such tariffs.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    With respect to the Paperwork Reduction Act, this rule would 
replace two paper filings for most rules with a single electronic 
filing. Thus, while this rule will significantly reduce the paperwork 
burden on government and industry, it does not eliminate information 
collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of 
Management and Budget pursuant to the Act.
    The Department estimates that filing of passenger tariff rule pages 
in paper format will be reduced by about ninety percent, with the 
remaining ten percent continuing to be filed in paper form. A total of 
about 42,000 passenger tariff rule pages and about 6,400 Passenger 
Special Tariff Permission Applications (STPA's) were filed in 1994. At 
a filing fee of $2 a rule page and $12 a passenger STPA, we estimate 
the carriers could save as much as $145,000 annually in filing fees 
paid to the Department. In addition, ATPCO charges the carriers $35.00 
for each filed tariff page and up to $30.00 for each STPA. On this 
basis, we estimate that the rule could save the carriers an additional 
$1,500,000 in associated fees paid to ATPCO, producing potential total 
savings to the carriers in excess of $1,600,000.
    While not estimated, we expect that costs of governmental review, 
filing and archiving of paper tariff rule filings will be similarly 
reduced.
    The reduction in reporting and recordkeeping requirements 
associated with this rule are being submitted to

[[Page 18074]]

OMB for approval in accordance with 44 U.S.C. chapter 35 under OMB NO. 
2137-AC23; Administration: Department of Transportation; TITLE: 
Electronic Filing of Passenger Service Rules Tariffs; NEED FOR 
INFORMATION: Authorizes the electronic filing of rules governing the 
provision of passenger services; PROPOSED USE OF INFORMATION: 
Authorization is based on the request of tariff publishing agents to 
extend the efficiencies of electronic data transmission and processing 
to the filing of rules tariffs; FREQUENCY: An initial passenger tariff 
rule filing is required of each respondent; changes are voluntary, 
whenever an air carrier elects; ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN UNDER NEW 
RULE: 1,312,480 hours; RESPONDENTS: 230; FORM(S) 26,681 electronic 
filings, pages or applications per annum; AVERAGE BURDEN HOURS PER 
RESPONDENT: 5706 hours.
    For further information on paperwork reduction contact: The 
Information Requirements Division, M-34, Office of the Secretary of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590, (202) 
366-4735 or DOT Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, New 
Executive Office Building, Room 3228, Washington, D.C. 20503.

Regulation Identifier Number

    A regulation identifier number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory 
action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The 
Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in 
April and October of each year. The RIN number contained in the heading 
of this document can be used to cross reference this action with the 
Unified Agenda.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 221

    Air rates and fares, Agents, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    For the reasons set forth herein, and under authority delegated in 
49 CFR 1.56(j)(2)(ii), the Department of Transportation amends 14 CFR 
Part 221 as follows:

PART 221--TARIFFS

Subpart W--Electronically Filed Tariffs

    1. The authority citation for Part 221 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 40101, 40109, 40113, 46101, 46102, Chapter 
411, Chapter 413, Chapter 415, and Subchapter I of Chapter 417.

    2. Section 221.251 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 221.251  Applicability of the subpart.

    (a) Any carrier, consistent with the provisions of this subpart, 
and part 221 generally, may file its international passenger fares 
tariffs and international passenger rules tariffs electronically in 
machine-readable form as an alternative to the filing of printed paper 
tariffs as provided for elsewhere in Part 221. This subpart applies to 
all carriers and tariff publishing agents and may be used by either if 
the carrier or agent complies with the provisions of subpart W. Any 
carrier or agent that files electronically under this subpart must 
transmit to the Department the remainder of the tariff, as applicable, 
in a form consistent with this Part 221, subparts A through V, on the 
same day that the electronic tariff would be deemed received under 
Sec. 221.270(b).
* * * * *
    3. Paragraph (b)(7) of section 221.260, is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 221.260  Requirements for filing.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (7) The filer shall maintain all fares and rules with the 
Department and all Departmental approvals, disapprovals and other 
actions, as well as all Departmental notations concerning such 
approvals, disapprovals or other actions, in the on-line tariff 
database for a period of two (2) years after the fare or rule becomes 
inactive. After this period of time, the carrier or agent shall provide 
the Department, free of charge, with a copy of the inactive date on a 
machine-readable tape or other mutually acceptable electronic medium.
* * * * *
    4. Section 221.283 is amended by revising the introductory text of 
paragraph (b)(8) and by adding new paragraphs (b)(9) and (b)(10) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 221.283  The filing of tariffs and amendments to tariffs.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (8) Fares tariff, or proposed changes to the fares tariffs, 
including: * * *
    (9) Rules tariff, or proposed changes to the rules tariffs.
    (i) Rules tariffs shall include:
    (A) Title: General description of fare rule type and geographic 
area under the rule;
    (B) Application: Specific description of fare class, geographic 
area, type of transportation (one way, round-trip, etc.);
    (C) Period of Validity: Specific description of permissible travel 
dates and any restrictions on when travel is not permitted;
    (D) Reservations/ticketing: Specific description of reservation and 
ticketing provisions, including any advance reservation/ticketing 
requirements, provisions for payment (including prepaid tickets), and 
charges for any changes;
    (E) Capacity Control: Specific description of any limitation on the 
number of passengers, available seats, or tickets;
    (F) Combinations: Specific description of permitted/restricted fare 
combinations;
    (G) Length of Stay: Specific description of minimum/maximum number 
of days before the passenger may/must begin return travel;
    (H) Stopovers: Specific description of permissible conditions, 
restrictions, or charges on stopovers;
    (I) Routing: specific description of routing provisions, including 
transfer provisions, whether on-line or inter-line;
    (J) Discounts: Specific description of any limitations, special 
conditions, and discounts on status fares, e.g. children or infants, 
senior citizens, tour conductors, or travel agents, and any other 
discounts;
    (K) Cancellation and Refunds: Specific description of any special 
conditions, charges, or credits due for cancellation or changes to 
reservations, or for request for refund of purchased tickets;
    (L) Group Requirements: Specific description of group size, travel 
conditions, group eligibility, and documentation;
    (M) Tour Requirements: Specific description of tour requirements, 
including minimum price, and any stay or accommodation provisions;
    (N) Sales Restrictions: Specific description of any restrictions on 
the sale of tickets;
    (O) Rerouting: Specific description of rerouting provisions, 
whether on-line or inter-line, including any applicable charges; and
    (P) Miscellaneous provisions: Any other applicable conditions.
    (ii) Rules tariffs shall not contain the phrase ``intentionally 
left blank''.
    (10) Any material accepted by the Department for informational 
purposes only shall be clearly identified as ``for information only, 
not part of official tariff'', in a manner acceptable to the 
Department.
    5. Paragraph (c) of Sec. 221.283 is amended by redesignating 
existing paragraphs (c) (8) through (15) as paragraphs (c) (9) through 
(16), respectively, and by adding a new paragraph (c)(8) to read as 
follows:

[[Page 18075]]

Sec. 221.283  The filing of tariffs and amendments to tariffs.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (8) Rule text.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington DC, on this 15th day of April, 1996.
Charles A. Hunnicutt,
Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 96-9960 Filed 4-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P