Reports, Form and Recordkeeping Requirements Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

Federal Register Notice
July 6, 1998
Volume 63, Number 128

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 USC Chapter 3501, et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of the information collections and its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments was published on April 13, 1998 [63 FR 18072].

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 5, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernie Stankus, Office of Airline Information, K-25, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 7th Street, SW., Room 3430, Washington, DC 20590 (202) 366-4387.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)

Title: Airline Service Quality Performance.

OMB Control Number: 2138-0041.

Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

Form No.: None.

Affected Entities: Large domestic passenger air carriers--Alaska Airlines, America West Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Air Lines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Trans World Airlines, United Air Lines, US Airways.

Abstract: Since Part 234 has been effective, carriers' quality of service has improved, resulting in a decrease in the number of consumer complaints. The Department discloses the carriers' on-time performances and mishandled baggage information to the public. Airline passengers are now more informed to make carrier selections based on the quality of service provided.

Aircraft tail number, wheels-up and wheels-down time gives the FAA valuable data for pinpointing and analyzing air traffic delays. Wheels- up and wheels-down time are used in conjunction with departure and arrival times to show the extent of ground delays. Elapsed flight time (computed from the wheels-up time and the wheels-down time) reveals delays experienced in the air. The reporting of the 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. Data by aircraft type allows the FAA to calculate the capacity impacted by air traffic congestion. 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.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,440 hours.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725--17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503, ATTN: DOT/BTS Desk Officer. Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimates of the burden of the proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect when OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

Issued in Washington, DC on June 29, 1998.

Phillip A. Leach,
Clearance Officer, United States Department of Transportation.

[FR Doc. 98-17725 Filed 7-2-98; 8:45 am]

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