[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 61079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23080]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Bureau of Transportation Statistics


Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Airline 
Service Quality Performance--Part 234

AGENCY: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT.

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 invites the general 
public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the 
continuing need for and usefulness of DOT requiring large certificated 
air carriers to file ``On-Time Flight Performance Reports'' and 
``Mishandled-Baggage Reports'' pursuant to 14 CFR 234.4 and 234.6. 
These reports are used to monitor the quality of air service that major 
air carriers are providing the flying public.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by December 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: Office of Airline 
Information, K-14, Room 4125, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, FAX NO. 366-3383 or E-
MAIL [email protected].
    Comments: Comments should identify the OMB  2138-0041. 
Persons 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernie Stankus Office of Airline 
Information, K-14, Room 4125, 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--Part 234.
    Form No.: BTS Form 234.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Large certificated air carriers that account for at 
least 1 percent of the domestic scheduled passenger revenues.
    Number of Respondents: 18.
    Total Burden Per Response: 20 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 4,380 hours.
    Needs and Uses:

Consumer Information

    Part 234 gives air travelers information concerning their chances 
of on-time flights and the rate of mishandled baggage by the eleven 
largest scheduled domestic passenger carriers.

Reducing and Identifying Traffic Delays

    The Federal Aviation Administration uses Part 234 data to pinpoint 
and analyze air traffic delays. Wheels-up and wheels-down times are 
used in conjunction with departure and arrival times to show the extent 
of ground delays. Actual elapsed flight time, wheels-down minus wheels-
up time, is compared to scheduled elapsed flight time to identify 
airborne delays. The reporting of 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. 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. The identification of the reason 
for delays allows the FAA, airport operators, and air carriers to 
pinpoint delays under their control.
    The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency 
Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note), requires a statistical agency to 
clearly identify information it collects for non-statistical purposes. 
BTS hereby notifies the respondents and the public that BTS uses the 
information it collects under this OMB approval for non-statistical 
purposes including, but not limited to, publication of both 
Respondent's identity and its data, submission of the information to 
agencies outside BTS for review, analysis and possible use in 
regulatory and other administrative matters.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2004.
Donald W. Bright,
Assistant Director, Airline Information.
[FR Doc. 04-23080 Filed 10-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-FE-P