[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 37 (Monday, February 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 8575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4414]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


Procedures for Compensation of Air Carriers

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, 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 the extension of a 
previously approved collection.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received April 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to the Competition and Policy 
Analysis Division (X-55), Office of Aviation Analysis, Office of the 
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Schmidt, Competition and Policy 
Analysis Division (X-55), Office of Aviation Analysis, Office of the 
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-5420.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Procedures For Compensation of Air Carriers.
    OMB Control Number: 2105-0546.
    Type of Request: Authority for the currently approved data 
collection expires on February 28, 2002. By this notice, the Department 
is requesting an extension until February 28, 2003.
    Abstract: As a consequence of the terrorist attacks on the United 
States on September 11, 2001, the U.S. commercial aviation industry 
suffered severe financial losses. These losses placed the financial 
survival of many air carriers at risk. Acting rapidly to preserve the 
continued viability of the U.S. air transportation system, President 
Bush sought and Congress enacted the Air Transportation Safety and 
System Stabilization Act (``the Act''), Pub. L. 107-42.
    Under section 101(a)(2)(A-B) of the Act, a total of $5 billion in 
compensation is provided for ``direct losses incurred beginning on 
September 11, 2001, by air carriers as a result of any Federal ground 
stop order issued by the Secretary of Transportation or any subsequent 
order which continue or renews such stoppage; and the incremental 
losses incurred beginning September 11, 2001 and ending December 31, 
2001, by air carriers as a direct result of such attacks.'' The 
Department of Transportation previously disbursed initial estimated 
payments of nearly $2.5 billion of the $5 billion amount that Congress 
authorized, using procedures set forth in the Department's Program 
Guidance Letters that were widely distributed and posted on the 
Department' Web site.
    On October 29, 2001 (66 FR 54616), the Department published in the 
Federal Register a final rule and request for comments to establish 
procedures for air carriers who had received or wished to receive 
compensation under the Act. The rule covered such subjects as 
eligibility, deadlines for application, information and forms required 
of applicants, and audit requirements. The Department has received 
submissions from many carriers pursuant to this rule and is continuing 
to process requests for compensation.
    Respondents: U.S. air carriers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 430.
    Estimated Total Burden on Respondents: 5,320 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
Information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the 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 of 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.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2002.
Randall D. Bennett,
Director, Office of Aviation Analysis.
[FR Doc. 02-4414 Filed 2-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P