[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 154 (Thursday, August 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41439-41440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20260]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Office of the Secretary; Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping 
Requirements Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended) this notice announces the Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) intention to request an emergency 90-day 
reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved information 
collection for which approval has expired. Comments are invited on: (a) 
Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the

[[Page 41440]]

Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department'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, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    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.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before October 7, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Special Authorities Division 
(X-57), Office of Aviation Analysis, Office of the Secretary, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 
20590-0002. This information collection is available for inspection at 
the Special Authorities Division (X-57), Office of Aviation Analysis, 
DOT, at the address above. Copies of 14 CFR Part 380 can be obtained 
from Mr. Scott Keller at the address and telephone number shown below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scott Keller or Mr. Charles 
McGuire, Office of the Secretary, Office of Aviation Analysis, X-57, 
Department of Transportation, at the address above. Telephone: (202) 
366-1031/4534.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Office of the Secretary, Office of Aviation Analysis

    Title: Public Charters.
    OMB Control Number: 2106-0005.
    Type of Request: Emergency processing for reinstatement for 90 
days, without change, a previously approved information collection for 
which approval has expired.
    Affected Entities: Public charter operators.
    Abstract: In 14 CFR 380 (adopted 1979) of its Special Regulations 
the Department established the terms and conditions governing the 
furnishing of public charters in air transportation by direct air 
carriers and public charter operators. Public charter operators arrange 
transportation for groups of persons on aircraft chartered from direct 
air carriers. This arrangement is less expensive for the travelers than 
individually buying a ticket. Further, the charter operator books hotel 
rooms, tours, etc., at destination for the convenience of the traveler. 
Part 380 exempts charter operators from certain provisions of the U.S. 
Code in order that they may provide this service.
    A primary goal of Part 380 is to seek protection for the consumer. 
Accordingly, the rule stipulates that the charter operator must file 
evidence (a prospectus) with the Department for each charter program 
certifying that it has entered into a binding contract with a direct 
carrier to provide air transportation and that it has also entered into 
agreements with Department-approved financial institutions for the 
protection of the charter participants' funds. The prospectus must be 
approved by the Department prior to the operator's advertising, selling 
or operating the charter. The forms (OST Forms 4532, 4533, 4534 and 
4535) that comprise the operator's filing is the information collection 
at issue here.
    In September 1992, the Department issued a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) [57 FR 42864, 9-16-92] to propose, among other 
revisions, that charter operators need no longer file prospectuses. The 
NPRM was in response to comments that prospectus filings were 
burdensome and unnecessary. However, the majority of respondents to the 
NPRM have urged the Department to retain the existing prospectus filing 
requirements. They desire the more complete consumer protection 
provided by the current rule. Without a complete prospectus it would be 
extremely difficult to assure that financial security and other 
consumer protection requirements are in place for each public charter 
operation.
    The collection involved here requests general information about the 
charter operator and direct air carrier that will provide a public 
charter and requires each to certify that it has contracted with the 
other to provide the transportation. The routing, charter price and 
tour itinerary of the proposed charter are also identified. The 
collection also requires the charter operator, direct air carrier and 
financial institution(s) involved to certify that proper financial 
instruments are in place or other arrangements have been made to 
protect the charter participants' funds and that all parties will abide 
by the Department's public charter regulations.
    Average Annual Burden per Respondents: 4.25 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden on Respondents: 31,343 hours.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 5, 1996.
Phillip A. Leach,
Clearance Officer, United States Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 96-20260 Filed 8-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P