[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 13, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58546-58551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26847]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 91

[Docket No.: FAA-2007-27602; Amdt. No. 91-339A]
RIN 2120-AL28


Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the 
Territory and Airspace of Somalia

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action extends the expiration date for the Special 
Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) that prohibits certain flights in 
the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below flight level 
(FL) 260 by all: United States (U.S.) air carriers; U.S. commercial 
operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate 
issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-
registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-
registered civil aircraft, except where the operator of such aircraft 
is a foreign air carrier. The FAA is taking this action because it has 
determined that there continues to be an unacceptable risk to U.S. 
civil aviation operating in the territory and airspace of Somalia at 
altitudes below FL260 resulting from terrorist and militant activity. 
The FAA also republishes, with minor revisions, the approval process 
and exemption information for this SFAR.

DATES: This final rule is effective on December 13, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Filippell, Air Transportation 
Division, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
8166; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Executive Summary

    This action extends the prohibition of flight operations in the 
territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 by all: U.S. 
air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the 
privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such 
persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air 
carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except where 
the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. The FAA finds 
this action necessary due to continued hazards to persons and aircraft 
engaged in such flight operations resulting from terrorist and militant 
activity, as described in the Background section of this rule.

II. Legal Authority and Good Cause

A. Legal Authority

    The FAA is responsible for the safety of flight in the U.S. and for 
the safety of U.S. civil operators, U.S.-registered civil aircraft, and 
U.S.-certificated civil airmen throughout the world. The FAA's 
authority to issue rules on aviation safety is found in title 49, U.S. 
Code. Subtitle I, sections 106(f) and (g), describe the authority of 
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII of title 49, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority. Section 
40101(d)(1) provides that the Administrator shall consider in the 
public interest, among other matters, assigning, maintaining, and 
enhancing safety and security as the highest priorities in air 
commerce. Section 40105(b)(1)(A) requires the Administrator to exercise 
his authority consistently with the obligations of the U.S. Government 
under international agreements.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, subpart III, section 44701, General requirements. 
Under that section, the FAA is charged broadly with promoting safe 
flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing, among other 
things, regulations and minimum standards for practices, methods, and 
procedures that the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air 
commerce and national security.
    This regulation is within the scope of the FAA's authority under 
the statutes cited previously, because it continues to prohibit the 
persons described in paragraph (a) of SFAR No. 107, title 14 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) 91.1613, from conducting flight operations in 
the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 due to 
the continued hazards to the safety of such persons' flight operations, 
as described in the Background section of this final rule.

B. Good Cause for Immediate Adoption

    Title 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) authorizes agencies to dispense with 
notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency for ``good 
cause'' finds that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, 
or contrary to the public interest.'' Section 553(d) also authorizes 
agencies to forgo the delay in the effective date of the final rule for 
good cause found and published with the rule. In this instance, the FAA 
finds good cause to forgo notice and comment, because notice and 
comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. To 
the extent that the rule is based upon classified information, such 
information is not permitted to be shared with the general public. 
Also, threats to U.S. civil aviation and intelligence regarding these 
threats are fluid. As a result, the agency's original proposal could 
become unsuitable for minimizing the hazards to U.S. civil aviation in 
the affected airspace during or after the notice and comment process. 
The FAA further finds an immediate need to address the continued hazard 
to U.S. civil aviation that exists in the territory and airspace of 
Somalia at altitudes below FL260 from terrorist and militant activity. 
This hazard is further described in the Background section of this 
rule.
    For the reasons described previously, the FAA finds good cause to 
forgo notice and comment and any delay in the effective date for this 
rule. The FAA also finds that this action is fully consistent with the 
obligations under 49 U.S.C. 40105(b)(1)(A) to ensure that the FAA 
exercises its duties consistently

[[Page 58547]]

with the obligations of the United States under international 
agreements.

III. Background

    On January 7, 2016, the FAA expanded its existing prohibition of 
U.S. civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of 
Somalia, after determining that the risk from terrorist and militant 
activity made it unsafe for U.S. civil flights to operate in the 
territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260. 81 FR 721. 
In taking that action, the FAA determined that international civil air 
routes that transit Somali airspace and aircraft operating to and from 
Somali airports remained at risk from terrorist and militant groups 
potentially employing anti-aircraft weapons, including man-portable air 
defense systems (MANPADS), small-arms fire and indirect fire from 
mortars and rockets targeting airports. Some of the weapons that the 
FAA was concerned about have the capability to target aircraft upon 
approach and departure and aircraft at higher altitudes. The terrorist 
group al-Shabaab remained active in Somalia and had demonstrated the 
capability and intent to target U.S. and Western interests, including 
aviation. Al-Shabaab had conducted multiple attacks against civil 
aviation, including attacks on two IL-76 aircraft near Aden Adde 
International Airport (then known as Mogadishu International Airport) 
(HCMM) in March 2007, likely using MANPADS. These attacks had formed 
part of the basis for the original SFAR. Al-Shabaab had also conducted 
ground assaults against Aden Adde International Airport (then known as 
Mogadishu International Airport) (HCMM), the most recent of which had 
occurred in December 2014. As stated in the January 2016 final rule, in 
the FAA's view, attacks against aircraft in-flight or Somali airports 
could occur with little or no warning.
    Since January 2016, al-Shabaab has continued to directly target 
civil aviation using concealed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in 
an effort to bypass security screening at Aden Adde International 
Airport (HCMM) to detonate the device onboard an aircraft. This was 
demonstrated when al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the onboard 
detonation of a concealed IED on a Daallo Airlines Flight 159, which 
originated from Aden Adde International Airport (HCMM) in February 
2016. Al-Shabaab has also conducted frequent terror attacks in close 
proximity to the airport and has conducted indirect fire attacks 
targeting facilities within the perimeter of the airport. Al-Shabaab 
has also conducted ground assaults against Aden Adde International 
Airport (formerly known as Mogadishu International Airport) (HCMM), the 
most recent of which included a vehicle-borne improvised explosive 
device in January 2017. Other extremists, to include elements of the 
Islamic State of Iraq and ash Sham (ISIS), also operate in Somalia and 
are capable of threatening civil aviation. With the unsettled security 
environment in Somalia, along with the continuing threat to civil 
aviation from al-Shabaab and/or ISIS-associated activity, the FAA 
continues to believe that attacks against aircraft in-flight or Somali 
airports can occur with little or no warning.
    Therefore, as a result of the significant continuing risk to the 
safety of U.S. civil aviation in the territory and airspace of Somalia 
at altitudes below FL260, the FAA extends the expiration date of SFAR 
No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, from January 7, 2018, to January 7, 2020, and 
maintains the prohibition on flight operations in the territory and 
airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 by all: U.S. air carriers; 
U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an 
airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are 
operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and 
operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except where the operator 
of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.
    The FAA will continue to actively monitor the situation and 
evaluate the extent to which U.S. civil operators may be able to safely 
operate in the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below 
FL260 in the future. Amendments to SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, may be 
appropriate if the risk to aviation safety and security changes. The 
FAA may amend or rescind SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, as necessary, 
prior to its expiration date.
    The FAA also republishes, with minor revisions, the approval 
process and exemption information for this SFAR, so that persons 
described in paragraph (a) of the rule will be able to refer to this 
final rule, rather than having to search through previous final rules 
to find the relevant approval process and exemption information. This 
approval process and exemption information is consistent with other 
similar SFARs and recent agency practice.

IV. Approval Process Based on a Request From a Department, Agency, or 
Instrumentality of the United States Government

    If a department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government 
determines that it has a critical need to engage any person covered 
under SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, including a U.S. air carrier or a 
U.S. commercial operator, to conduct a charter to transport civilian or 
military passengers or cargo, or other operations, in the territory and 
airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260, that department, agency, 
or instrumentality may request that the FAA approve persons covered 
under SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, to conduct such operations. An 
approval request must be made directly by the requesting department, 
agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government to the FAA's Associate 
Administrator for Aviation Safety in a letter signed by an appropriate 
senior official of the requesting department, agency, or 
instrumentality. Requests for approval submitted to the FAA by anyone 
other than the requesting department, agency, or instrumentality will 
not be accepted and will not be processed. In addition, the senior 
official signing the letter requesting FAA approval on behalf of the 
requesting department, agency, or instrumentality must be sufficiently 
highly placed within the organization to demonstrate that the senior 
leadership of the requesting department, agency, or instrumentality 
supports the request for approval and is committed to taking all 
necessary steps to minimize operational risks to the proposed flights. 
The senior official must also be in a position to: (1) Attest to the 
accuracy of all representations made to the FAA in the request for 
approval, and (2) ensure that any support from the requesting U.S. 
government department, agency, or instrumentality described in the 
request for approval is in fact brought to bear and is maintained over 
time. Unless justified by exigent circumstances, requests for approval 
must be submitted to the FAA no less than 30 calendar days before the 
date on which the requesting department, agency, or instrumentality 
wishes the proposed operations, if approved by the FAA, to commence.
    The letter must be sent by the requesting department, agency, or 
instrumentality to the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20591. Electronic submissions are acceptable, and the 
requesting entity may request that the FAA notify it electronically as 
to whether the approval request is granted. If a requestor wishes to 
make an electronic submission to the FAA, the requestor should contact 
the Air Transportation Division, Flight Standards Service, at (202) 
267-8166 to obtain the appropriate email address. A single

[[Page 58548]]

letter may request approval from the FAA for multiple persons covered 
under SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, and/or for multiple flight 
operations. To the extent known, the letter must identify the person(s) 
covered under the SFAR on whose behalf the U.S. Government department, 
agency, or instrumentality is seeking FAA approval, and it must 
describe--
     The proposed operation(s), including the nature of the 
mission being supported;
     The service to be provided by the person(s) covered by the 
SFAR;
     To the extent known, the specific locations in the 
territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 where the 
proposed operation(s) will be conducted, including, but not limited to, 
the flight path and altitude of the aircraft while it is operating in 
the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 and the 
airports, airfields and/or landing zones at which the aircraft will 
take-off and land; and
     The method by which the department, agency, or 
instrumentality will provide, or how the operator will otherwise 
obtain, current threat information and an explanation of how the 
operator will integrate this information into all phases of the 
proposed operations (e.g., the pre-mission planning and briefing, in-
flight, and post-flight phases).
    The request for approval must also include a list of operators with 
whom the U.S. Government department, agency, or instrumentality 
requesting FAA approval has a current contract(s), grant(s), or 
cooperative agreement(s) (or with whom its prime contractor has a 
subcontract(s)) for specific flight operations in the territory and 
airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260. Additional operators may 
be identified to the FAA at any time after the FAA approval is issued. 
However, all additional operators must be identified to, and obtain an 
Operations Specification (OpSpec) or Letter of Authorization (LOA), as 
appropriate, from the FAA for operations in the territory and airspace 
of Somalia at altitudes below FL260, before such operators commence 
such operations. The approval conditions discussed below will apply to 
any such additional operators. Updated lists should be sent to the 
email address to be obtained from the Air Transportation Division by 
calling (202) 267-8166.
    If an approval request includes classified information, requestors 
may contact Aviation Safety Inspector Michael Filippell for 
instructions on submitting it to the FAA. His contact information is 
listed in the For Further Information Contact section of this final 
rule.
    FAA approval of an operation under SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, 
does not relieve persons subject to this SFAR of their responsibility 
to comply with all other applicable FAA rules and regulations. 
Operators of civil aircraft must also comply with the conditions of 
their certificate, OpSpecs, and LOAs, as applicable. Operators must 
further comply with all rules and regulations of other U.S. Government 
departments and agencies that may apply to the proposed operations, 
including, but not limited to, the Transportation Security Regulations 
issued by the Transportation Security Administration, Department of 
Homeland Security.
Approval Conditions
    If the FAA approves the request, the FAA's Aviation Safety 
Organization (AVS) will send an approval letter to the requesting 
department, agency, or instrumentality informing it that the FAA's 
approval is subject to all of the following conditions:
    (1) The approval will stipulate those procedures and conditions 
that limit, to the greatest degree possible, the risk to the operator, 
while still allowing the operator to achieve its operational 
objectives.
    (2) Before any approval takes effect, the operator must submit to 
the FAA:
    (a) A written release of the U.S. Government from all damages, 
claims, and liabilities, including without limitation legal fees and 
expenses, relating to any event arising out of or related to the 
approved operations in the territory and airspace of Somalia at 
altitudes below FL260; and
    (b) the operator's agreement to indemnify the U.S. Government with 
respect to any and all third-party damages, claims, and liabilities, 
including without limitation legal fees and expenses, relating to any 
event arising out of or related to the approved operations in the 
territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260.
    (3) Other conditions that the FAA may specify, including those that 
may be imposed in OpSpecs or LOAs, as applicable.
    The release and agreement to indemnify do not preclude an operator 
from raising a claim under an applicable non-premium war risk insurance 
policy issued by the FAA under chapter 443 of title 49, United States 
Code.
    If the proposed operation(s) is approved, the FAA will issue an 
OpSpec or an LOA, as applicable, to the operator(s) identified in the 
original request authorizing them to conduct the approved operation(s), 
and will notify the department, agency, or instrumentality that 
requested the FAA's approval of any additional conditions beyond those 
contained in the approval letter. The requesting department, agency, or 
instrumentality must have a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement 
(or its prime contractor must have a subcontract) with the person(s) 
described in paragraph (a) of this SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, on 
whose behalf the department, agency, or instrumentality requests FAA 
approval.

V. Requests for Exemption

    Any operations not conducted under an approval issued by the FAA 
through the approval process set forth previously must be conducted 
under an exemption from SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613. A request by any 
person covered under SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613, for an exemption must 
comply with 14 CFR part 11, and will require exceptional circumstances 
beyond those contemplated by the approval process set forth above. In 
addition to the information required by 14 CFR 11.81, at a minimum, the 
requestor must describe in its submission to the FAA--
     The proposed operation(s), including the nature of the 
operation;
     The service to be provided by the person(s) covered by the 
SFAR;
     The specific locations in the territory and airspace of 
Somalia at altitudes below FL260 where the proposed operation(s) will 
be conducted, including, but not limited to, the flight path and 
altitude of the aircraft while it is operating in the territory and 
airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 and the airports, 
airfields and/or landing zones at which the aircraft will take-off and 
land;
     The method by which the operator will obtain current 
threat information, and an explanation of how the operator will 
integrate this information into all phases of its proposed operations 
(e.g., the pre-mission planning and briefing, in-flight, and post-
flight phases); and
     The plans and procedures that the operator will use to 
minimize the risks, identified in the Background section of this rule, 
to the proposed operations, so that granting the exemption would not 
adversely affect safety or would provide a level of safety at least 
equal to that provided by this SFAR. The FAA has found comprehensive, 
organized plans and procedures of this nature to be helpful in 
facilitating the agency's safety evaluation of petitions for exemption 
from other flight prohibition SFARs.
    Additionally, the release and agreement to indemnify, as referred 
to above, will be required as a condition of

[[Page 58549]]

any exemption that may be issued under SFAR No. 107, Sec.  91.1613.
    The FAA recognizes that operations that may be affected by SFAR No. 
107, Sec.  91.1613, including this amendment, may be planned for the 
governments of other countries with the support of the U.S. Government. 
While these operations will not be permitted through the approval 
process, the FAA will process exemption requests for such operations on 
an expedited basis and prior to any private exemption requests.

VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic 
analyses. First, Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct that each 
Federal agency shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned 
determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its 
costs. Second, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354), 
as codified in 5 U.S.C. 603 et seq., requires agencies to analyze the 
economic impact of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the 
Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), 19 U.S.C. Chapter 13, 
prohibits agencies from setting standards that create unnecessary 
obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. In developing 
U.S. standards, the Trade Agreements Act requires agencies to consider 
international standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis 
of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-4), as codified in 2 U.S.C. Chapter 25, requires agencies 
to prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and other 
effects of proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate 
likely to result in the expenditure by State, local, or tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more annually (adjusted for inflation with base year of 
1995). This portion of the preamble summarizes the FAA's analysis of 
the economic impacts of this final rule.
    In conducting these analyses, the FAA has determined that this 
final rule has benefits that justify its costs and is a ``significant 
regulatory action'' as defined in section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866, because it raises novel policy issues contemplated under that 
Executive Order. The rule is also ``significant'' as defined in DOT's 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures. The final rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
will not create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the 
United States, and will not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, 
or tribal governments, or on the private sector, by exceeding the 
threshold identified previously.

A. Regulatory Evaluation

    Department of Transportation Order 2100.5 prescribes policies and 
procedures for simplification, analysis, and review of regulations. If 
the expected cost impact is so minimal that a proposed or final rule 
does not warrant a full evaluation, this order permits a statement to 
that effect and the basis for it to be included in the preamble if a 
full regulatory evaluation of the costs and benefits is not prepared. 
Such a determination has been made for this final rule. The reasoning 
for this determination follows.
    Due to the significant hazards to U.S. civil aviation described in 
the Background section of this rule, this rule extends the prohibition 
against U.S. civil flights in the territory and airspace of Somalia at 
altitudes below FL260. The FAA believes there are very few, if any, 
U.S. operators who wish to overfly Somalia at altitudes below FL260 or 
operate to, from, or within Somalia. Since January 7, 2016, the FAA has 
received very few requests for approval or exemption to conduct flight 
operations in the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below 
FL260, and at least one was abandoned by the requestor before FAA 
processing was completed.
    Consequently, the FAA estimates the costs of this rule to be 
minimal. These minimal costs are exceeded by the benefits of avoided 
deaths, injuries, and property damage that could result from a U.S. 
operator's aircraft being shot down (or otherwise damaged) due to the 
hazards described in the Background section of this final rule.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354) (RFA) 
establishes ``as a principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall 
endeavor, consistent with the objectives of the rule and of applicable 
statutes, to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale 
of the businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions 
subject to regulation. To achieve this principle, agencies are required 
to solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain 
the rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given 
serious consideration.'' The RFA covers a wide range of small entities, 
including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small 
governmental jurisdictions.
    Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a rule will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. If the agency determines that it will, the agency must 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA. 
However, if an agency determines that a rule is not expected to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the head of the agency may so 
certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. The 
certification must include a statement providing the factual basis for 
this determination, and the reasoning should be clear.
    As noted previously, the FAA estimates that the costs of this rule 
will be minimal and that very few small entities will be adversely 
affected. Therefore, as provided in section 605(b), the head of the FAA 
certifies that this rulemaking will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

C. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39) prohibits Federal 
agencies from establishing standards or engaging in related activities 
that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. Pursuant to this Act, the establishment of standards is not 
considered an unnecessary obstacle to the foreign commerce of the 
United States, so long as the standard has a legitimate domestic 
objective, such as the protection of safety, and does not operate in a 
manner that excludes imports that meet this objective. The statute also 
requires consideration of international standards and, where 
appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards.
    The FAA has assessed the effect of this final rule and determined 
that its purpose is to protect the safety of U.S. civil aviation from a 
hazard to their operations in the territory and airspace of Somalia at 
altitudes below FL 260, a location outside the U.S. Therefore, the rule 
is in compliance with the Trade Agreements Act.

D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
4) requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement 
assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final 
agency rule that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more 
(in 1995 dollars) in any one year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate 
is deemed to be a ``significant

[[Page 58550]]

regulatory action.'' The FAA currently uses an inflation-adjusted value 
of $155.0 million in lieu of $100 million.
    This final rule does not contain such a mandate. Therefore, the 
requirements of Title II of the Act do not apply.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires 
that the FAA consider the impact of paperwork and other information 
collection burdens imposed on the public. The FAA has determined that 
there is no new requirement for information collection associated with 
this final rule.

F. International Compatibility and Cooperation

    In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA's policy to conform to 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and 
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA has 
determined that there are no ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices 
that correspond to this regulation.

G. Environmental Analysis

    The FAA has analyzed this action under Executive Order 12114, 
Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions (44 FR 1957, 
January 4, 1979), and DOT Order 5610.1C, Paragraph 16. Executive Order 
12114 requires the FAA to be informed of environmental considerations 
and take those considerations into account when making decisions on 
major Federal actions that could have environmental impacts anywhere 
beyond the borders of the United States. The FAA has determined that 
this action is exempt pursuant to Section 2-5(a)(i) of Executive Order 
12114, because it does not have the potential for a significant effect 
on the environment outside the United States.
    In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: 
Policies and Procedures,'' paragraph 8-6(c), FAA has prepared a 
memorandum for the record stating the reasons for this determination, 
which has been placed in the docket for this rulemaking.

VII. Executive Order Determinations

A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FAA has analyzed this final rule under the principles and 
criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency has 
determined that this action would not have a substantial direct effect 
on the States, or the relationship between the Federal Government and 
the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
the various levels of government, and, therefore, would not have 
Federalism implications.

B. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    The FAA analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (May 18, 2001). The agency has determined that it 
would not be a ``significant energy action'' under the executive order 
and would not be likely to have a significant adverse effect on the 
supply, distribution, or use of energy.

C. Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation

    Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation, (77 FR 26413, May 4, 2012) promotes international 
regulatory cooperation to meet shared challenges involving health, 
safety, labor, security, environmental, and other issues and to reduce, 
eliminate, or prevent unnecessary differences in regulatory 
requirements. The FAA has analyzed this action under the policies and 
agency responsibilities of Executive Order 13609, and has determined 
that this action would have no effect on international regulatory 
cooperation.

D. Executive Order 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs

    This rule is not subject to the requirements of EO 13771 (82 FR 
9339, February 3, 2017) because it is issued with respect to a national 
security function of the United States.

VIII. Additional Information

A. Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of rulemaking documents may be obtained from the 
internet by--
     Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov);
     Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies web page at 
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies or
     Accessing the Government Publishing Office's web page at 
http://www.fdsys.gov.
    Copies may also be obtained by sending a request (identified by 
amendment or docket number of this rulemaking) to the Federal Aviation 
Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence Avenue 
SW, Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9677. Please identify 
the docket or amendment number of this rulemaking in your request.
    Except for classified material, all documents the FAA considered in 
developing this rule, including economic analyses and technical 
reports, may be accessed from the internet through the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal referenced above.

B. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA) requires FAA to comply with small entity requests for 
information or advice about compliance with statutes and regulations 
within its jurisdiction. A small entity with questions regarding this 
document may contact its local FAA official, or the person listed under 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT heading at the beginning of the 
preamble. To find out more about SBREFA on the internet, visit http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 91

    Air traffic control, Aircraft, Airmen, Airports, Aviation safety, 
Freight, Somalia.

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends chapter I of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 91--GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES

0
1. The authority citation for part 91 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 1155, 40101, 40103, 40105, 
40113, 40120, 44101, 44111, 44701, 44704, 44709, 44711, 44712, 
44715, 44716, 44717, 44722, 46306, 46315, 46316, 46504, 46506-46507, 
47122, 47508, 47528-47531, 47534, Pub. L. 114-190, 130 Stat. 615 (49 
U.S.C. 44703 note); articles 12 and 29 of the Convention on 
International Civil Aviation (61 Stat. 1180), (126 Stat. 11).

0
2. Revise paragraph (e) in Sec.  91.1613 to read as follows:


Sec.  91.1613   Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 107--
Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Territory and Airspace of 
Somalia.

* * * * *
    (e) Expiration. This SFAR will remain in effect until January 7, 
2020. The FAA may amend, rescind, or extend this SFAR as necessary.

    Issued in Washington, DC, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 
106(f) and (g),

[[Page 58551]]

40101(d)(1), 40105(b)(1)(A), and 44701(a)(5), on December 6, 2017.
Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-26847 Filed 12-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P