Agency Information Collection: Activity under OMB Review; Report of Traffic and Capacity Statistics-The T-100 System

Citation85 FR 7845
Record Number2020-02706
Published date11 February 2020
SectionNotices
CourtTransportation Statistics Bureau
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2020)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 7845-7847]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-02706]
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                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                Bureau of Transportation Statistics
                [Docket ID Number DOT-OST-2014-0031]
                Agency Information Collection: Activity under OMB Review; Report
                of Traffic and Capacity Statistics--The T-100 System
                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 U.S. and foreign
                air carriers to file traffic and capacity data pursuant to 14 CFR
                241.19 and Part 217, respectively. These reports are used to measure
                air transportation activity to, from, and within the United States.
                DATES: Written comments should be submitted by April 13, 2020.
                ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number
                DOT-OST-2014-0031 by any of the following methods:
                 Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
                Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
                 Mail: Docket Services: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New
                Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington,
                DC 20590-0001.
                 Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
                1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through
                Friday, except Federal holidays.
                 Fax: 202-366-3383.
                 Instructions: Identify docket number, DOT-OST-2014-0031, at the
                beginning of your comments, and send two copies. To receive
                confirmation that DOT received your comments, include a self-addressed
                stamped postcard. Internet users may access all comments received by
                DOT at http://www.regulations.gov. All comments are posted
                electronically without charge or edits, including any personal
                information provided.
                [[Page 7846]]
                 Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
                comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
                submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
                of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
                complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
                April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
                 Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
                comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov. or the street
                address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
                dockets.
                Electronic Access
                 You may access comments received for this notice at http://www.regulations.gov, by searching docket DOT-OST-2014-0031.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Rodes, Office of Airline
                Information, RTS-42, Room E34-420, OST-R, BTS, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
                SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, Telephone Number (202) 366-8513, Fax
                Number (202) 366-3383 or EMAIL [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                 Comments: Comments should identify the associated OMB approval #
                2138-0040 and Docket ID Number DOT-OST-2014-0031. 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 # 2138-0040, Docket--DOT-OST-2014-
                0031. The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned.
                 OMB Approval No. 2138-0040.
                 Title: Report of Traffic and Capacity Statistics--The T-100 System.
                 Form No.: Schedules T-100 and T-100(f).
                 Type Of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
                 Respondents: Certificated, commuter and foreign air carriers that
                operate to, from or within the United States.
                 T100 Form:
                 Number of Respondents: 119.
                 Number of Annual responses 1,428.
                 Total Burden Per Response: 6 hours.
                 Total Annual Burden: 8,568 hours.
                 T100F Form:
                 Number of Respondents: 190.
                 Number of Annual responses 2,280.
                 Total Burden Per Response: 2 hours.
                 Total Annual Burden: 4,560 hours.
                 Needs and Uses:
                Airport Improvement
                 The Federal Aviation Administration uses enplanement data for U.S.
                airports to distribute the annual Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
                entitlement funds to eligible primary airports, i.e., airports which
                account for more than 0.01 percent of the total passengers enplaned at
                U.S. airports. Enplanement data contained in Schedule T-100/T-100(f)
                are the sole data base used by the FAA in determining airport funding.
                U.S. airports receiving significant service from foreign air carriers
                operating small aircraft could be receiving less than their fair share
                of AIP entitlement funds. Collecting Schedule T-100(f) data for small
                aircraft operations will enable the FAA to more fairly distribute these
                funds.
                Air Carrier Safety
                 The FAA uses traffic, operational and capacity data as important
                safety indicators and to prepare the air carrier traffic and operation
                forecasts that are used in developing its budget and staffing plans,
                facility and equipment funding levels, and environmental impact and
                policy studies. The FAA monitors changes in the number of air carrier
                operations as a way to allocate inspection resources and in making
                decisions as to increased safety surveillance. Similarly, airport
                activity statistics are used by the FAA to develop airport profiles and
                establish priorities for airport inspections.
                Acquisitions and Mergers
                 While the Justice Department has the primary responsibility over
                air carrier acquisitions and mergers, the Department reviews the
                transfer of international routes involved to determine if they would
                substantially reduce competition, or determine if the transaction would
                be inconsistent with the public interest. In making these
                determinations, the proposed transaction's effect on competition in the
                markets served by the affected air carriers is analyzed. This analysis
                includes, among other things, a consideration of the volume of traffic
                and available capacity, the flight segments and origins-destinations
                involved, and the existence of entry barriers, such as limited airport
                slots or gate capacity. Also included is a review of the volume of
                traffic handled by each air carrier at specific airports and in
                specific markets which would be affected by the proposed acquisition or
                merger. The Justice Department uses T-100 data in carrying out its
                responsibilities relating to airline competition and consolidation.
                Traffic Forecasting
                 The FAA uses traffic, operational and capacity data as important
                safety indicators and to prepare the air carrier traffic and operation
                forecasts. These forecast as used by the FAA, airport managers, the
                airlines and others in the air travel industry as planning and
                budgeting tools.
                Airport Capacity Analysis
                 The mix of aircraft type are used in determining the practical
                annual capacity (PANCAP) at airports as prescribed in the FAA Advisory
                Circular Airport Capacity Criteria Used in Preparing the National
                Airport Plan. The PANCAP is a safety-related measure of the annual
                airport capacity or level of operations. It is a predictive measure
                which indicates potential capacity problems, delays, and possible
                airport expansions or runway construction needs. If the level of
                operations at an airport exceeds PANCAP significantly, the frequency
                and length of delays will increase, with a potential concurrent risk of
                accidents. Under this program, the FAA develops ways of increasing
                airport capacity at congested airports.
                Airline Industry Status Evaluations
                 The Department apprizes Congress, the Administration and others of
                the effect major changes or innovations are having on the air
                transportation industry. For this purpose, summary traffic and capacity
                data as well as the detailed segment and market data are essential.
                These data must be timely and inclusive to be relevant for analyzing
                emerging issues and must be based upon uniform and reliable data
                submissions that are consistent with the Department's regulatory
                requirements.
                Mail Rates
                 The Department is responsible for establishing international and
                intra-Alaska mail rates. International mail rates are set based on
                scheduled operations in four geographic areas: Trans-border, Latin
                America, operations over the Atlantic Ocean and operations over the
                Pacific Ocean. Separate rates are set for mainline and bush Alaskan
                operations. The rates are updated every six months to reflect changes
                in unit costs in each rate-making entity. Traffic and capacity data are
                used in conjunction with cost data to develop the required unit cost
                data.
                Essential Air Service
                 The Department reassesses service levels at small domestic
                communities to assure that capacity levels are adequate to accommodate
                current demand.
                System Planning at Airports
                 The FAA is charged with administering a series of grants that are
                [[Page 7847]]
                designed to accomplish the necessary airport planning for future
                development and growth. These grants are made to state metropolitan and
                regional aviation authorities to fund needed airport systems planning
                work. Individual airport activity statistics, nonstop market data, and
                service segment data are used to prepare airport activity level
                forecasts.
                Review of IATA Agreements
                 The Department reviews all of the International Air Transport
                Association (IATA) agreements that relate to fares, rates, and rules
                for international air transportation to ensure that the agreements meet
                the public interest criteria. Current and historic summary traffic and
                capacity data, such as revenue ton-miles and available ton-miles, by
                aircraft type, type of service, and length of haul are needed to
                conduct these analyses: To (1) develop the volume elements for
                passenger/cargo cost allocations, (2) evaluate fluctuations in volume
                of scheduled and charter services, (3) assess the competitive impact of
                different operations such as charter versus scheduled, (4) calculate
                load factors by aircraft type, and (5) monitor traffic in specific
                markets.
                Foreign Air Carriers Applications
                 Foreign air carriers are required to submit applications for
                authority to operate to the United States. In reviewing these
                applications the Department must find that the requested authority is
                encompassed in a bilateral agreement, other intergovernmental
                understanding, or that granting the application is in the public
                interest. In the latter cases, T-100 data are used in assessing the
                level of benefits that carriers of the applicant's homeland presently
                are receiving from their U.S. operations. These benefits are compared
                and balanced against the benefits U.S. carriers receive from their
                operations to the applicant's homeland.
                Air Carrier Fitness
                 The Department determines whether U.S. air carriers are and
                continue to be fit, willing and able to conduct air service operations
                without undue risk to passengers and shippers. The Department monitors
                a carrier's load factor, operational, and enplanement data to compare
                with other carriers with similar operating characteristics. Carriers
                that expand operations at a high rate are monitored more closely for
                safety reasons.
                International Civil Aviation Organization
                 Pursuant to an international agreement, the United States is
                obligated to report certain air carrier data to the International Civil
                Aviation Organization (ICAO). The traffic data supplied to ICAO are
                extracted from the U.S. air carriers' Schedule T-100 submissions.
                 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 on February 5, 2020.
                William Chadwick, Jr.,
                Director, Office of Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation
                Statistics.
                [FR Doc. 2020-02706 Filed 2-10-20; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P
                

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