Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Activity Under OMB Review; Submission of Audit Reports Part 248

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Activity Under OMB Review; Submission of Audit Reports Part 248

AGENCY:

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 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 extension of currently approved collections. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The

Federal Register

Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 9, 2002 (67 FR 51927).

DATES:

Written comments should be submitted by November 21, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bernie Stankus, Office of Airline Information, K-14, Room 4125, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, Telephone Number (202) 366-4387, Fax Number (202) 366-3383 or e-mail

bernard.stankus@bts.gov

.

Comments:

Comments are invited on whether the proposed collection of information is 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 estimate of burden of the proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, in including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: BTS Desk Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)

Title:

Submission of Audit Reports—Part 248.

Type of Request:

Extension of a currently approved collection.

OMB Control Number:

2138-0004.

Forms:

None.

Affected Public:

Large certificated air carriers.

Number of Respondents:

75.

Estimated Time per Response:

15 minutes.

Total Annual Burden:

20 hours.

Needs and Uses:

BTS collects 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, BTS will accept the annual report submitted to the stockholders. The audited reports are needed by the Department of Transportation as (1) a means to monitor an air carrier's continuing fitness to operate, (2) reference material used by analysts in examining foreign route cases, (3) reference material used by analyst in examining proposed mergers, (4) a means whereby BTS sends a copy of the report to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in fulfillment of a U.S. treaty obligation, and (5) corroboration of a carrier's Form 41 filings.

Donald W. Bright,

Acting Assistant Director, Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

[FR Doc. 02-26821 Filed 10-21-02; 8:45 am]

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