[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9304-9305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3823]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Airport Privatization Pilot Program

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of Acceptance for Review: Preliminary Application for 
Rafael Hernandez Airport, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

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SUMMARY:  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed its 
review of the Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN) preliminary application 
for participation in the airport privatization pilot program. The 
preliminary application is accepted for review, with a filing date of 
December 20, 1999. The Puerto Rico Ports Authority, the airport 
sponsor, may select a private operator, negotiate an agreement and 
submit a final application to the FAA for exemption under the pilot 
program.
    49 U.S.C. Section 47134 establishes an airport privatization pilot 
program and authorizes the Department of Transportation to grant 
exemptions from certain Federal statutory and regulatory requirements 
for up to five airport privatization projects. The application 
procedures require the FAA to publish a notice in the Federal Register 
after review of the preliminary application in the Federal Register for 
public review and comment for a sixty-day period. The BQN preliminary 
application is

[[Page 9305]]

available for public review in the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket (AGC-200), 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Kevin C. Willis (202-267-8741) 
Airport Compliance Division, AAS-400, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction and Background

    Section 149 of the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization 
Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-264 (October 9, 1996) (1996 Reauthorization 
Act), adds a new Section 47134 to Title 49 of the U.S. Code Section 
47134 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, and through 
delegation, the FAA Administrator, to exempt a sponsor of a public use 
airport that has received Federal assistance, from certain Federal 
requirements in connection with the privatization of the airport by 
sale or lease to a private party. Specifically, the Administrator may 
exempt the sponsor from all or part of the requirements to use airport 
revenues to airport-related purposes, to pay back a portion of Federal 
grants upon the sale of an airport, and to return airport property 
deeded by the Federal Government upon transfer of the airport. The 
Administrator is also authorized to exempt the private purchaser or 
lessee from the requirement to use all airport revenues for airport-
related purposes, to the extent necessary to permit the purchaser or 
lessee to earn compensation from the operations of the airport.
    On September 16, 19997, the Federal Aviation Administration issued 
a notice of procedures to be use din applications for exemption under 
Airport Privatization Pilot Program (62 FR 48693). A request for 
participation in the Pilot Program must be initiated by the filing of 
either a preliminary or final application for exemption with the FAA.
    The Puerto Rico Ports Authority issued its RFP on November 22, 
1999, for Rafael Hernandez Airport, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and has not 
selected a private operator. The filing date of this preliminary 
application is December 20, 1999. This is the fourth preliminary 
application accepted under the pilot program. The Authority may select 
a private operator, negotiate an agreement and submit a final 
application to the FAA for exemption.
    If FAA accepts the final application for review, the application 
will be published in the Federal Register for public review and comment 
for a sixty-day period.

    Issued in Washington, DC on February 1, 2000.
Paul L. Galis,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports.
[FR Doc. 00-3823 Filed 2-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M