Security Programs of Foreign Air Carriers

SUMMARY: The FAA announces an extension of the comment period for an

additional 60 days on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM; No. 98-

17), which was published in the Federal Register on November 23, 1998

(63 FR 64764). In that NPRM, the FAA invites public comments on

amending the existing airplane operator security rules for foreign air

carriers and foreign operators of U.S. registered aircraft. The comment

period is being extended in response to requests received from the

British government and Air Canada to provide additional time to review

the transcript of the public meeting held on February 24, 1999, in

Washington, DC. The extension of the comment period also is being

granted in response to comments made at the public meeting by

commenters who requested additional time to prepare cost estimates for

the NPRM.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments on Notice 98-17 should be submitted in duplicate

to: U.S. Department of Transportation Dockets, Docket No. FAA-1998-

4758, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Room Plaza 401, Washington, DC 20590.

Comments may also be sent electronically to the following internet

address: [email protected] Comments may be filed and/or examined in

Room Plaza 401 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays except Federal

holidays.

Comments that include or reference national security information or

sensitive security information should not be submitted to the public

docket. These comments should be sent to the following address in a

manner consistent with applicable requirements and procedures for

safeguarding sensitive security information (questions on these

procedures may be directed to Moira A. Lozada, see FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT) Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the

Civil Aviation Security Operations, Attention: FAA Security Control

Point, Docket No. FAA-1998-4758, 800 Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Moira A. Lozada, Office of Civil

Aviation Security Policy and Planning, Civil Aviation Security Division

(ACP-100), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave., SW,

Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the rulemaking

proposed in Notice 98-17 by submitting such written data, views, or

arguments as they may desire. Comments relating to the environmental,

energy, federalism, or economic impact that might result from adopting

the proposals in this document are also invited. Substantive comments

should be accompanied by cost estimates.

Comments should identify the regulatory docket or notice number and

be submitted in duplicate to the Rules Docket (see ADDRESSES). All

comments received on or before the closing date for comments specified

will be considered by the Administrator before taking action on this

proposed rulemaking. The proposals contained in this document may be

changed in response to comments received. Comments received on this

proposal will be available, both before and after the closing date for

comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons.

However, the Assistant Administrator has determined that air carrier

security programs required by parts 108 and 129 contain sensitive

security information. As such, the availability of information

pertaining to airport security programs is governed by 14 CFR Part 191

(Withholding Security Information from Disclosure Under the Air

Transportation Security Act of 1974).

A report summarizing each substantive pubic contact with FAA

personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following

statement is made: ``Comments to the Docket No. FAA-1998-4758.'' The

postcard will be date-stamped and mailed to the commenter.

Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the Security Programs of

Foreign Air Carriers proposed rule should contact Elizabeth Allen at

the address or telephone number provided in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT.

Internet users may reach the FAA's webpage at http://www.faa.gov or

the Federal Register's webpage at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su__docs to

access recently published rulemaking documents.

An electronic copy of these documents may be downloaded using a

modem and suitable communications software from the FAA regulations

section of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone:

(703) 321-3339) or the Federal Register's electronic bulletin board

service (Telephone: (202) 512-1661).

The closing date for comments on this proposal is May 24, 1999.

Background

The FAA will extend the comment period for Security Programs of

Foreign Air Carriers to provide additional time for interested parties

to comment on the proposal. This extension is being granted in response

to requests from the international community to allow more time to

review the transcript of the public meeting held on February 24, 1999,

and to prepare cost estimates for the NPRM.

Extension of Comment Period

The FAA has reviewed the requests for consideration of an extended

comment period for Notice 98-17 and determined that an extension would

be in the public interest and that good cause exists for taking this

action. Accordingly, the comment period for Notice 98-17 is extended

for an additional sixty days, as identified under the caption DATES.

Issued in Washington, DC on March 18, 1999.

Quinten Johnson,

Acting Director, Office of Civil Aviation Security Policy and Planning.

[FR Doc. 99-6919 Filed 3-17-99; 3:16 pm]

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