[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 18072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9610]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Bureau of Transportation Statistics


Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Airline 
Service Quality Performance

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) invites the 
general public, industry and other Federal Agencies to comment on the 
continuing need for and usefulness of BTS collecting data on the 
timeliness of scheduled domestic passenger flights and the incidence of 
lost or damaged baggage. The 10 largest domestic passenger carriers 
report this data on a monthly basis.
    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 June 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: Office of Airline 
Information, K-25, Room 4125, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
    Comments: Comments should identify the OMB # 2138-0041 and submit a 
duplicate copy to the address listed above. Commenters 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 # 2138-0041. The postcard will be 
date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernie Stankus, Office of Airline 
Information, K-25, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, (202) 366-4387.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Approval No: 2138-0041.
    Title: Airline Service Quality Performance.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Large domestic passenger air carriers--Alaska 
Airlines, America West Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Air 
Lines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Trans 
World Airlines, United Air Lines, US Airways.
    Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 19 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 2,280 hours.

Needs and Uses

Consumer Information

    Since Part 234 has been effective, carriers' quality of service has 
improved, resulting in a decrease in the number of consumer complaints. 
The Department discloses the carriers' on-time performances and 
mishandled baggage information to the public. Airline passengers are 
now more informed to make carrier selections based on the quality of 
service provided.

Reducing Air Traffic Delays

    Aircraft tail number, wheels-up and wheels-down time gives the FAA 
valuable data for pinpointing and analyzing air traffic delays. Wheels-
up and wheels-down time are used in conjunction with departure and 
arrival times to show the extent of ground delays. Elapsed flight time 
(computed from the wheels-up time and the wheels-down time) reveals 
delays experienced in the air. The reporting of the aircraft tail 
number allows the FAA to track an aircraft through the air network, 
which enables the FAA to study the ripple effects of delays at hub 
airports. Data by aircraft type allows the FAA to calculate the 
capacity impacted by air traffic congestion. The data can be analyzed 
for airport design changes, new equipment purchases, the planning of 
new runways or airports based on current and projected airport delays, 
and traffic levels.
Timothy E. Carmody,
Director, Office of Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 98-9610 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-FE-P