Order 2012-11-2

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Issued by the Department of Transportation

on the 8th day of November, 2012

Served: November 8, 2012

Application of

LLC NORD WIND Docket DOT-OST-2012-0153

 

for an exemption under 49 U.S.C. §40109 and a foreign 

air carrier permit under 49 U.S.C. §41301 

ORDER GRANTING EXEMPTION AND TO SHOW CAUSE

Summary

By this order we (1) grant the application of the referenced foreign air carrier for an exemption 

under 49 U.S.C. §40109, subject to conditions;1 and (2) tentatively find that it is in the public 

interest to grant the applicant the foreign air carrier permit attached as Appendix B to this 

order.

Background

On August 23, 2005, the Department issued a Notice, in Docket DOT-OST-2005-22228, 

announcing several steps designed to streamline our regulatory procedures for licensing U.S. 

and foreign air carriers. Among other things, the Notice stated that:

Assuming, based on the record and on the public interest/public convenience and 

necessity elements germane to our licensing decisions, that we were in a position to 

act favorably, we would proceed to issue a single order (1) granting the exemption 

request for whatever duration we would normally have imposed, or until 

 1 The conditions are attached as Appendix A.
2

certificate/permit authority becomes effective, whichever is shorter, and (2) 

tentatively deciding (i.e., show-cause) to award a corresponding certificate (or 

permit), again for the standard duration we would normally have imposed (such as, 

in the case of certificates, five years for limited-entry markets, indefinite for openentry markets, and in the case of permits, five years for comity and reciprocity 

regimes, indefinite for agreement regimes).

Our action in this Order serves to implement these streamlined regulatory procedures for the 

application involved in this proceeding.

Application

By application filed September 11, 2012, LLC Nord Wind (Nord Wind), a foreign air carrier 

of the Russian Federation, requests an exemption under 49 U.S.C. §40109 and a foreign air 

carrier permit under 49 U.S.C. §41301 to engage in (1) charter foreign air transportation of 

persons, property, and mail between point(s) in the Russian Federation and point(s) in the 

United States; and (2) other charter operations subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations 

of 14 CFR Part 212 and pertinent national, bilateral and international laws and regulations.

The applicant provided evidentiary materials required by 14 CFR Part 211 of our regulations 

to support its requests for authority.

No answers were filed to the application.

Decision

We have decided, under assigned authority and consistent with our August 23, 2005 Notice 

referenced above, to grant the applicant’s request for exemption authority, subject to 

conditions, and tentatively to grant, subject to show-cause procedures, its request for a foreign 

air carrier permit, also subject to conditions.

With respect to the applicant’s request for exemption authority, we find that grant of this 

authority is consistent with the public interest; that the applicant has demonstrated, based on 

the record, that it is financially and operationally qualified to perform the services authorized;

and that it is substantially owned and effectively controlled by citizens of its claimed homeland.

2

 

 2 The record indicates that 100% of the applicant’s shares are ultimately held by Karine Bukrey, a citizen of the 

Russian Federation. The record further indicates that Nord Wind’s General Director, four of the five members of 

its Board of Directors, and all of its key management personnel are citizens of the Russian Federation. 
3

The authority sought by the applicant is encompassed by the 1994 Air Transport Agreement 

between the United States and the Russian Federation.3 We therefore find that grant of the 

requested exemption authority, for a one-year term, or until the requested permit authority 

becomes effective, whichever occurs earlier, is warranted.

We also note that the applicant is properly licensed by its homeland to perform the proposed 

services. In addition, on September 21, 2012 the Federal Aviation Administration advised us 

that it knew of no reason why we should act unfavorably on the applicant’s request. We have 

verified the applicant’s compliance with 14 CFR Parts 203 (Warsaw liability waiver), and 205 

(insurance requirements).

Finally, in the conduct of the charter services authorized and tentatively authorized herein, 

Nord Wind must adhere to (1) the conditions attached to this order; (2) FAA-approved flight 

routings; and (3) the Air Transport Agreement between the United States and the Russian 

Federation, including its Annexes. In accordance with sections 212.9(d) and (e) of the 

Department’s rules, Nord Wind shall not perform any charter(s) unless specific authority in 

the form of a statement of authorization for such charter(s) has been granted by the 

Department. Applications for the statements of authorization required above shall be filed in 

accordance with the procedures set forth in section 212.10.

Tentative Findings and Conclusions--Foreign Air Carrier Permit Application

We tentatively find and conclude that the public interest warrants granting the applicant a 

foreign air carrier permit, in the form attached as Appendix B and subject to the conditions 

described above and the conditions attached.4

 In particular, we tentatively find and conclude 

that the factors which support our grant of exemption authority to the applicant also warrant 

granting the applicant the foreign air carrier permit it seeks.

In view of the foregoing and all facts of record, we tentatively find and conclude that:

1. It is in the public interest to issue the applicant a foreign air carrier permit in the form 

attached;

 3 On February 13, 2009, the United States and the Russian Federation agreed, ad referendum, to revised Annexes

to the U.S.-Russia Air Transport Agreement and stated that, pending their entry force, their respective 

aeronautical authorities intend to implement the provisions of those Annexes on the basis of comity and 

reciprocity. 4 The applicant’s request for a foreign air carrier permit was summarized in the Department’s published weekly 

list of applications filed. This notice described the authority sought and gave interested persons an opportunity to 

submit evidence and objections to the award of this foreign air carrier permit authority. As noted above, no 

answers to the application were filed.
4

2. The applicant is fit, willing, and able properly to perform the foreign air transportation 

described in the attached permit and to conform to the provisions of Title 49 of the U.S. Code, 

and to our rules, regulations, and requirements;

3. The applicant is substantially owned and effectively controlled by citizens of its claimed 

homeland;

4. The public interest requires that the exercise of the privileges granted by the permit should 

be subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations contained in the attached permit, and to 

such other reasonable terms, conditions, and limitations required by the public interest as we 

may prescribe;

5. The issuance of this foreign air carrier permit will not constitute a major regulatory action 

under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as defined in 14 CFR §313.4(a)(1) of 

our regulations;5

6. The public interest does not require an oral evidentiary hearing on the application; and

7. Our action with respect to this foreign air carrier permit should, unless disapproved by the 

President of the United States under §41307 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code, become effective on 

the 61st day after its submission for §41307 review, or upon the date of receipt of advice from 

the President or his designee under Executive Order 12597 and implementing regulations that 

he or she does not intend to disapprove this portion of the Department’s decision under that 

section, whichever occurs earlier.

In view of the above, and acting under authority assigned by the Department in its regulations, 

14 CFR Part 385, we find that (1) our actions are consistent with Department policy; and (2) 

with respect to the exemption authority we are conferring on the applicant, the applicant is 

qualified to perform those operations; and that grant of the exemption authority is consistent 

with the public interest and would not constitute a major regulatory action under the Energy 

Policy and Conservation Act of 1975. 

ACCORDINGLY,

1. We grant the request of LLC Nord Wind for an exemption under 49 U.S.C. §40109 to 

permit it to engage in (1) charter foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail 

between any point or points in the Russian Federation and any point or points in the United 

States; and (2) other charters in accordance with 14 CFR Part 212 of the Department’s 

regulations;

2. The exercise of the privileges granted above is subject to LLC Nord Wind’s compliance 

with the conditions listed in Appendix A, and to the conditions that, in the conduct of the 

 5

 This finding is based on the fact that the grant of this permit will not result in a near-term net annual change in 

aircraft fuel consumption of 10 million gallons or more.
5

charter services authorized herein, LLC Nord Wind must adhere to (1) FAA-approved flight 

routings; and (2) the Air Transport Agreement between the United States and the Russian 

Federation, including its Annexes. In accordance with §212.9(d) and (e) of the Department’s 

rules, LLC Nord Wind shall not perform any charter(s) unless specific authority in the form of 

a statement of authorization for such charter(s) has been granted by the Department. 

Applications for statements of authorization required above shall be filed in accordance with 

the procedures set forth in §212.10;

3. Our action granting the exemption authority described herein is effective immediately, for 

a period of one year from the issue date of this order, or until the attached permit becomes 

effective, whichever is earlier;

4. We may amend, modify, or revoke the exemption authority set forth herein at our 

discretion at any time and without hearing;

5. To the extent not acted upon above, we dismiss all requests for exemption authority in this 

Docket (DOT-OST-2012-0153);

6. With respect to the applicant’s request for a foreign air carrier permit in this proceeding, 

we direct all interested persons to show cause why our tentative decision on that application, 

set forth above, should not be made final;

7. Any interested person objecting to the issuance of an order making final our tentative 

findings and conclusions with respect to the applicant’s request for a foreign air carrier permit 

shall, no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after the date of service of this order, file 

with the Department and serve on the parties to this proceeding, a statement of objections 

specifying the part or parts of the tentative findings and conclusions objected to, together with 

a summary of testimony, statistical data, and concrete evidence to be relied upon in support of 

the objections; if objections are filed, answers to objections are due no later than seven (7) 

calendar days thereafter;

8. If timely and properly supported objections are filed, we will give further consideration to 

the matters and issues raised by the objections before we take further action;

9. In the event no objections are filed, all further procedural steps shall be deemed waived, 

and the Department will enter an order which will (subject to Presidential review under 

§41307 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code) make final our tentative findings and conclusions set 

forth in this order; and

10. We will serve a copy of this order on LLC Nord Wind, the Embassy of the Russian 

Federation in Washington, D.C., the Federal Aviation Administration, and the U.S. 

Department of State.

Persons entitled to petition the Department for review of this order under the Department’s 

regulations, 14 CFR §385.30, may file their petitions within seven (7) days after the date of 
6

issuance of this order. Our action with respect to the applicant’s request for exemption 

authority under 49 U.S.C. §40109 is effective immediately, and the filing of a petition for 

review will not alter such effectiveness.

By:

PAUL L. GRETCH

Director

Office of International Aviation

(SEAL)

Appendices

An electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide Web at:

http://www.regulations.gov
Foreign Carrier Exemption Conditions Appendix A

In the conduct of the operations authorized, the foreign carrier applicant(s) shall:

(1) Not conduct any operations unless it holds a currently effective authorization from its homeland for such 

operations, and it has filed a copy of such authorization with the Department;

(2) Comply with all applicable requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security 

Administration, and with all applicable U.S. Government requirements concerning security, including, but not 

limited to, 14 CFR Parts 129, 91, and 36 and 49 CFR Part 1546 or 1550, as applicable. To assure compliance with 

all applicable U.S. Government requirements concerning security, the holder shall, before commencing any new 

service (including charter flights) from a foreign airport that would be the holder’s last point of departure for the 

United States, contact its International Industry Representative (IIR) (formerly referred to as International Principal 

Security Inspector) to advise the IIR of its plans and to find out whether the Transportation Security 

Administration has determined that security is adequate to allow such airport(s) to be served;

(3) Comply with the requirements for minimum insurance coverage contained in 14 CFR Part 205, and, prior to the 

commencement of any operations under this authority, file evidence of such coverage, in the form of a completed 

OST Form 6411, with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Program Management Branch (AFS-260), Flight 

Standards Service (any changes to, or termination of, insurance also shall be filed with that office);

(4) Not operate aircraft under this authority unless it complies with operational safety requirements at least 

equivalent to Annex 6 of the Chicago Convention;

(5) Conform to the airworthiness and airman competency requirements of its Government for international air 

services;

(6) Except as specifically exempted or otherwise provided for in a Department Order, comply with the 

requirements of 14 CFR Part 203, concerning waiver of Warsaw Convention liability limits and defenses;

(7) Agree that operations under this authority constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity, for the purposes of 28 

U.S.C. 1605(a), but only with respect to those actions or proceedings instituted against it in any court or other 

tribunal in the United States that are: (a) based on its operations in international air transportation that, according 

to the contract of carriage, include a point in the United States as a point of origin, point of destination, or agreed 

stopping place, or for which the contract of carriage was purchased in the United States; or (b) based on a claim 

under any international agreement or treaty cognizable in any court or other tribunal of the United States. In this 

condition, the term "international air transportation" means "international transportation" as defined by the Warsaw

Convention, except that all States shall be considered to be High Contracting Parties for the purpose of this 

definition;

(8) Except as specifically authorized by the Department, originate or terminate all flights to/from the United States 

in its homeland;

(9) Comply with the requirements of 14 CFR Part 217, concerning the reporting of scheduled, nonscheduled, and 

charter data;

(10) If charter operations are authorized, except as otherwise provided in the applicable aviation agreement, 

comply with the Department's rules governing charters (including 14 CFR Parts 212 and 380); and

(11) Comply with such other reasonable terms, conditions, and limitations required by the public interest as may be 

prescribed by the Department, with all applicable orders or regulations of other U.S. agencies and courts, and with 

all applicable laws of the United States.

This authority shall not be effective during any period when the holder is not in compliance with the conditions 

imposed above. Moreover, this authority cannot be sold or otherwise transferred without explicit Department 

approval under Title 49 of the U.S. Code.

12/2007
Appendix B

Issued by

Order 2012-

 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

 WASHINGTON, D.C.

--------------------------------------------------------

PERMIT TO FOREIGN AIR CARRIER

---------------------------------------------------------

LLC NORD WIND

A Foreign Air Carrier of the Russian Federation

is authorized, subject to the following provisions, the provisions of Title 49 of the U.S. Code, and the 

orders, rules, and regulations of the Department of Transportation, to engage in charter foreign air 

transportation of persons, property, and mail as follows:

Between any point or points in the Russian Federation and any point or points in the United 

States.

The holder shall also be authorized to engage in other charter trips in foreign air transportation, subject to 

the terms, conditions, and limitations of the Department’s regulations governing charters.

This permit and the exercise of the privileges granted in it shall be subject to the terms, conditions and 

limitations in both the order issuing this permit and the attachment to this order, and to all applicable 

provisions of any treaty, convention or agreement affecting international air transportation now in effect, 

or that may become effective during the period this permit remains in effect, to which the United States 

and the holder’s homeland are or shall become parties.

This permit shall be effective on ________, 2012. Unless otherwise terminated at an earlier date pursuant 

to the terms of any applicable treaty, convention or agreement, this permit shall terminate (1) upon the 

dissolution or liquidation of the holder to whom it was issued; (2) upon the effective date of any treaty, 

convention, or agreement or amendment, which shall have the effect of eliminating the bilateral right for 

the service authorized by this permit from the service which may be operated by airlines designated by the 

Government of the Russian Federation (or, if the right is partially eliminated, then the authority of this 

permit shall terminate in like part); (3) upon the effective date of any permit granted by the Department to 

any other carrier designated by the Government of the Russian Federation in lieu of the holder; or (4) 

upon the termination or expiration of the applicable air services agreement between the United States and 

the Russian Federation. However, clause (4) of this paragraph shall not apply if prior to such termination 

or expiration, the foreign air transportation authorized herein becomes the subject of another treaty, 

convention or agreement to which the United States and the Russian Federation become parties.
The Department of Transportation has executed this permit and affixed its seal on ______, 2012.

By:

PAUL L. GRETCH

Director

Office of International Aviation

(SEAL)
Foreign Carrier Permit Conditions

In the conduct of the operations authorized, the foreign carrier applicant(s) shall:

(1) Not conduct any operations unless it holds a currently effective authorization from its homeland for such 

operations, and it has filed a copy of such authorization with the Department;

(2) Comply with all applicable requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security 

Administration, and with all applicable U.S. Government requirements concerning security, including, but not 

limited to, 14 CFR Parts 129, 91, and 36 and 49 CFR Part 1546 or 1550, as applicable. To assure compliance with 

all applicable U.S. Government requirements concerning security, the holder shall, before commencing any new 

service (including charter flights) from a foreign airport that would be the holder’s last point of departure for the 

United States, contact its International Industry Representative (IIR) (formerly referred to as International Principal 

Security Inspector) to advise the IIR of its plans and to find out whether the Transportation Security Administration 

has determined that security is adequate to allow such airport(s) to be served;

(3) Comply with the requirements for minimum insurance coverage contained in 14 CFR Part 205, and, prior to the 

commencement of any operations under this authority, file evidence of such coverage, in the form of a completed 

OST Form 6411, with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Program Management Branch (AFS-260), Flight 

Standards Service (any changes to, or termination of, insurance also shall be filed with that office);

(4) Not operate aircraft under this authority unless it complies with operational safety requirements at least 

equivalent to Annex 6 of the Chicago Convention;

(5) Conform to the airworthiness and airman competency requirements of its Government for international air 

services;

(6) Except as specifically exempted or otherwise provided for in a Department Order, comply with the requirements 

of 14 CFR Part 203, concerning waiver of Warsaw Convention liability limits and defenses;

(7) Agree that operations under this authority constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity, for the purposes of 28 

U.S.C. 1605(a), but only with respect to those actions or proceedings instituted against it in any court or other 

tribunal in the United States that are: (a) based on its operations in international air transportation that, according to 

the contract of carriage, include a point in the United States as a point of origin, point of destination, or agreed 

stopping place, or for which the contract of carriage was purchased in the United States; or (b) based on a claim 

under any international agreement or treaty cognizable in any court or other tribunal of the United States. In this 

condition, the term "international air transportation" means "international transportation" as defined by the Warsaw 

Convention, except that all States shall be considered to be High Contracting Parties for the purpose of this 

definition;

(8) Except as specifically authorized by the Department, originate or terminate all flights to/from the United States 

in its homeland;

(9) Comply with the requirements of 14 CFR Part 217, concerning the reporting of scheduled, nonscheduled, and 

charter data;

(10) If charter operations are authorized, except as otherwise provided in the applicable aviation agreement, comply 

with the Department's rules governing charters (including 14 CFR Parts 212 and 380); and

(11) Comply with such other reasonable terms, conditions, and limitations required by the public interest as may be 

prescribed by the Department, with all applicable orders or regulations of other U.S. agencies and courts, and with 

all applicable laws of the United States.

This authority shall not be effective during any period when the holder is not in compliance with the conditions 

imposed above. Moreover, this authority cannot be sold or otherwise transferred without explicit Department 

approval under Title 49 of the U.S. Code.

12/2007