[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18306-18307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7298]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research & Innovative Technology Administration

[Docket ID No. RITA 2008-0002]


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

AGENCY: Research & 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 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 
larger air carriers are providing the flying public. The Federal 
Aviation Administration uses the On-Time Flight Performance Reports to 
identify problem areas within the air traffic control system.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by May 29, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cecelia Robinson, Office of Airline 
Information, RTS-42, Room E34, RITA, BTS, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590-0001, Telephone Number (202) 366-4405, Fax Number 
(202) 366-3383 or email [email protected].
    Comments: Comments should identify the associated OMB approval 
2138-0041 and Docket ID Number RITA 2008-0002. 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, 
Docket--RITA 2008-0002. The postcard will be date/time stamped and 
returned.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Approval No. 2138-0041.
    Title: Airline Service Quality Performance Reports--Part 234.
    Form No.: BTS Form 234.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement of an expired approved collection.
    Respondents: Large certificated air carriers that account for at 
least 1 percent of the domestic scheduled-service passenger revenues.

[[Page 18307]]

    Number of Respondents: 14.
    Number of Responses: 168.
    Total Burden per Response: 20 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 3,360 hours.
    Needs and Uses:

Consumer Information

    Part 234 gives air travelers information concerning the on-time 
performance history of flights that they are considering booking and 
the rate of mishandled baggage for each reporting carrier. The reports 
are filed by the 14 largest scheduled-service U.S. passenger carriers.
    On July 15, 2011 the Department published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to change the manner in which baggage data 
are reported (see 76 FR 41726). The proposed rule would require 
carriers to report, (1) the number of mishandled checked bags (as 
opposed to the current requirement to report the number of mishandled 
baggage reports filed by passengers), (2) the total number of checked 
bags (as opposed to the current requirement to report the total number 
of enplaned passengers), (3) the number of mishandled wheelchairs and 
scooters used by passengers with disabilities that were carried in the 
cargo compartment, and (4) the total number of wheelchairs and scooters 
used by passengers with disabilities that were carried in the cargo 
compartment. In the preamble to that notice the Department stated that 
the change in the matrix to mishandled bags per unit of checked bags 
would give consumers more reliable information on the air carriers' 
performance regarding the treatment of baggage within their control. 
Under the current system, there is no direct relationship between the 
number of mishandled bags and the number of checked bags. With the 
institution of baggage fees, the number of checked bags at some 
carriers has declined by 40 to 50 percent. There has been a 
corresponding 40 percent decline (i.e. improvement) in the industry 
mishandled baggage rates. A large part of the improvement in the 
mishandled baggage rate appears to be related to the decrease in 
checked baggage, although the current matrix hides this fact. The 
proposed matrix would have a direct correlation between mishandled 
baggage and checked baggage.
    Separate breakout of mishandled wheelchairs/scooters would assist 
passengers with mobility disabilities in selecting air carriers with 
high probabilities in meeting their special needs. There is a gap in 
the Department's data regarding the mishandling of wheelchairs and 
scooters. The proposed data will provide information to passenger with 
disabilities on which air carriers best meet their special needs. Thus, 
this pending rulemaking may impact this information collection.

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.

Administrative Issues

    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 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 March 20, 2012.
Patricia Hu
Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative 
Technology Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-7298 Filed 3-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-HY-P