[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 51007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17497]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 Bureau of Transportation Statistics

[Docket: OST-2007-26835]


 Research and Innovative Technology Administration; Agency 
Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Airline Service 
Quality Performance--Part 234

AGENCY: Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), 
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 (BTS) invites the 
general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on 
the continuing need for and usefulness of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation (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 November 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by RITA docket number 
OST-2007-26835 to the Docket Management Facility at the U.S. Department 
of Transportation. To avoid duplication, please use only one of the 
following methods:
    Web site: http://dms.dot.gov (electronic submission).
    Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    Fax: 202-493-2251.
    Delivery: Room W12-140 in the West Tower of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation Headquarters Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the 
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 202-
493-0402.
    Instructions for Comments: Comments should identify the OMB 
 2138-0041. Persons wishing the DOT 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 at (202) 366-4387, or by mail at the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., E-34, RTS-42, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.

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: 20.
    Total Burden Per Response: 20 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 4,800 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 20 largest 
scheduled domestic passenger carriers.

Reducing and Identifying Traffic Delays

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 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.
    Currently, BTS has an open docket 28522, which requests comments on 
how the DOT can improve this data collection. Specifically, should the 
DOT collect additional information regarding tarmac delays when the 
flight returns to the airport gate, when the flight is diverted or when 
the flight is cancelled. After the comments are reviewed, the DOT will 
issue a notice of proposed rulemaking, if necessary, and a new 
Information Collection Package will be sent to OMB.
    The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency 
Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501), 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 statistical and 
non-statistical purposes. Purposes include, but are 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 August 29, 2007.
Marianne Seguin,
Acting Assistant Director, Airline Information, Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics.
[FR Doc. E7-17497 Filed 9-4-07; 8:45 am]
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