United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1998-06-18 monographic deposited born digital 28 p. GA 1.13:RCED-98-156 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-98-156 P0b002ee180381a8c f:rc98156 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-RCED-98-156 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-RCED-98-156 RCED-98-156 Airline industry Airline regulation Air transportation operations Aircraft engines Interstate commerce Competition Transportation costs Noise pollution control Hawaii DC-8 Aircraft Boeing 737 Aircraft Boeing 727 Aircraft Honolulu International Airport (HI) Honolulu (HI) Hilo (HI) Maui (HI) Kaui (HI) Kona (HI) Oahu (HI) Letter Report RCED

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the basis for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) revision of its interpretation of turnaround service in Hawaii, focusing on determining how American International Cargo's (AIC) November 1995 entry into the Hawaiian inter-island air cargo market with relatively noisy Stage 2 aircraft has affected--and how its potential future exit could affect--competition in Hawaii's air cargo markets.<p/>GAO noted that: (1) in May 1995, FAA determined that one segment of a flight AIC had been operating in November 1990 with a single Stage 2 aircraft included a takeoff and a landing in Hawaii and that it therefore qualified as inter-island turnaround service; (2) consequently, FAA concluded that, under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act, AIC could legally initiate scheduled inter-island service using its single Stage 2 aircraft; (3) however, after a formal inquiry from Aloha Airlines and a broader assessment of the legislation's intent, FAA revised its interpretation of turnaround service; (4) this revised decision held that the flight AIC was operating in November 1990 did not constitute turnaround service because it included points outside Hawaii; (5) GAO's review of relevant legislation and the legislative history found FAA's revised interpretation to be legally sound; (6) in particular, the flight that AIC conducted at the time the federal noise legislation was passed does not qualify as turnaround service--defined in a 1991 amendment as consisting of the operation of a flight between two or more points, all of which are within the state of Hawaii--and therefore does not render the airline exempt from statutory noise requirements; (7) AIC's November 1995 entry into Hawaii's inter-island markets has enhanced competition markedly by providing new services to a variety of customers; (8) for instance, since that date, AIC has offered scheduled daytime flights using large cargo containers--a service that its competitors do not offer; (9) this service has facilitated the delivery of time-sensitive express cargo and has helped to create new mainland markets for some of Hawaii's agricultural producers, who previously had to rely on ocean transportation; (10) in addition, although the airlines and their customers could not provide GAO with sufficient data to determine AIC's overall impact on rates, anecdotal information indicates that the company has introduced some price competition into inter-island markets; (11) consequently, while there could be a discernable effect on the breadth of services provided if AIC exits Hawaii's inter-island markets after September 30, 1998, the extent to which rates might increase remains unclear; (12) AIC told GAO that it wishes to continue serving Hawaii's inter-island markets after this date; and (13) however, absent federal legislation extending AIC's right to use Stage 2 aircraft, the airline will need to use Stage 3 aircraft to remain in these markets. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-98-156/html/GAOREPORTS-RCED-98-156.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-98-156/pdf/GAOREPORTS-RCED-98-156.pdf GAO/RCED-98-156 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-98-156 Letter Report GAO/RCED-98-156; Airline Competition: Cargo Airline Has Enhanced Competition in Hawaii but Faces an Uncertain Future; Airline industry Airline regulation Air transportation operations Aircraft engines Interstate commerce Competition Transportation costs Noise pollution control Hawaii DC-8 Aircraft Boeing 737 Aircraft Boeing 727 Aircraft Honolulu International Airport (HI) Honolulu (HI) Hilo (HI) Maui (HI) Kaui (HI) Kona (HI) Oahu (HI) Title 49 Section 44715 Title 49 Section 47528 Title 49 Section 47528(b)(2) Title 49 Section 47528(c) Title 49 Section 47528(e) 49 U.S.C. 44715 49 U.S.C. 47528 49 U.S.C. 47528(b)(2) 49 U.S.C. 47528(c) 49 U.S.C. 47528(e) S. Rept. 102-148