Airline Service Quality Performance Reports

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 234

[Docket 50053]

RIN 2137-AC67

Airline Service Quality Performance Reports

AGENCY: Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Bureau of Transportation

Statistics is extending from July 5 to August 5, 1995, the deadline for

submitting comments to the notice of proposed rulemaking concerning

reporting by air carriers concerning their on-time performance.

DATES: Comments are now due August 5, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in duplicate to the Docket

Clerk, Docket 50053, room PL 401, Office of the Secretary, Department

of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernard Stankus, Office of Airline

Information, K-25, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 Seventh

Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-4387.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 5, 1995 (60 FR 29514), the Office of

Airline Statistics, Research and Special Programs Administration of DOT

(now the Office of Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation

Statistics; see 60 FR 30195, June 8, 1995) published a notice of

proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the on-time flight performance

reporting requirements. The central issue was whether air carriers

should exclude mechanical delays from their on-time performance report.

The public was given 30 days to respond to the NPRM.

On June 28, 1995, the Department received three different requests

for extension of the comment period. In a letter to Secretary Pena,

Senator Mark O. Hatfield asked that the comment period be extended 60

days. He noted that when DOT proposed changes to the on-time report

process in the past, the docket was open for substantially longer

periods of time. He further stated that the current proposal merits the

same type of thoughtful and thorough review by all interested parties.

In a second letter to Secretary Pena, the National Consumers League

asked that the comment period be extended for 60 days. It stated that

it only recently became aware of the proposed change to exclude

mechanical delays and cancellations from the carrier on-time

performance ratings. Because on-time performance is now the number one

concern of business travelers, the National Consumers League believes

the public should be given more time to respond to the rulemaking.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and USAir filed

a joint submission asking the Department to extend the comment period

to September 5, 1995. The joint carriers stated that they need

additional time to prepare comments that fully take into account the

history of this issue, as well as the merits of the Department's

proposal. In addition, they note that we are now entering the peak

vacation period and that critical personnel have not been available

during the full period between issuance of the NPRM and the current

comment closing date.

Two answers were filed opposing the extension. Southwest Airlines

stated that the joint carriers failed to provide a credible basis for

an extension and criticized the last minute nature of the filing. It

stated that the ``peak vacation period'' argument is both unconvincing

and irrelevant, and that the carriers are seeking a lengthy extension

in order to delay a ruling. They concluded by stating that all parties

deserve certainty on this issue instead of an unending period of

further debate and skirmishing.

Northwest Airlines strongly opposed the request for extension. It

stated that the Department has before it a pressing safety issue that

requires immediate action, and that neither procrastination nor

vacation schedules should stand in the way of the Department's

resolution of this issue.

We are granting a one-month extension. This action serves to

facilitate the submission of informed comments, while not unduly

delaying the proceeding. DOT believes this action will not prejudice

the position of any party.

Issued in Washington on June 30, 1995.

Timothy E. Carmody,

Acting Director, Office of Airline Information, Bureau of

Transportation Statistics.

[FR Doc. 95-16682 Filed 7-3-95; 11:26 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-62-P