Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Submission of Audit Reports, Part 248

Federal Register Notice
June 10, 1999
Volume 64, Number 111

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) invites the general public, industry and other Federal Agencies to comment on the continuing need and usefulness of BTS collecting independent audited financial reports from U.S. certificated air carriers. Carriers not having an annual audit must file a statement that no such audit has been performed. In lieu of the audit report, the Department will accept the annual report submitted to the stockholders. Comments are requested concerning whether the audited reports are needed by DOT as: (a) A means to monitor an air carrier's continuing fitness to operate, (b) reference material used by analysts in examining foreign route cases, (c) reference material used by analysts in examining proposed acquisitions, mergers, and consolidations, (d) a means whereby the Department sends a copy of the report to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in fulfillment of a U.S. treaty obligation, and (e) corroboration of carriers' Form 41 filings. Commenters should address whether BTS accurately estimated the reporting burden and if there are other ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by August 9, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to Mr. Bernie Stankus, Office of Airline Information, K-25, Room 4201, 400 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments: Comments should identify the OMB #2138-0004 and be submitted in duplicate to the address listed above. Commenters 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 #2138-0004. The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. All comments submitted will be available for examination in the Rules Docket both before and after the closing date for comments.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval No. 2138-0004

Title: Submission of Audit Reports, Part 248.

Form No.: None.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Large certificated air carriers.

Number of Respondents: 84.

Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.

Total Annual Burden: 21 hours.

Needs and Uses: The audit reports are used as follows: (a) A means of monitoring an air carrier's continuing fitness to operate, (b) reference material by analysts in examining foreign route cases, (c) reference material by analysts in examining proposed acquisitions, mergers, and consolidations, (d) a means whereby the Department sends a copy of the report to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in fulfillment of a U.S. treaty obligation, and (e) corroboration of carriers' Form 41 filings.

Timothy E. Carmody,
Director, Office of Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

[FR Doc. 99-14771 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am]

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