Order 201 4

- 5

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C.

Issued by the Department of Transportation

on the 14 th day of May

, 201 4

Served: May 14

, 201 4

Application of

SKYGREECE AIRLINES S.A. Docket DOT

- OST

- 201 4

- 0 0 35

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 ca rrier permit attached as Appendix B to this order.

Background

By Notice dated May 3, 2007, we invited foreign air carriers of the European Union (EU) to apply for Department economic authority to conduct operations to and from the United States

under the U.S.

- EU Air Transport Agreement. In that Notice, we stated our intent to process requests for this authority under the “streamlining” procedures set out in our August 23, 2005

Notice in Docket DOT

- OST

- 2005

- 22228, in which we announced several steps desig ned to simplify our regulatory procedures for licensing foreign (and U.S.) air carriers. Our action in this Order serves to implement those streamlined regulatory procedures for the application involved in this proceeding.

Application

By application filed March 1 8 , 201 4

, SkyGreece Airlines S.A. ( SkyGreece ), a foreign air carrier

of Greece

, request s an exemption under 49 U.S.C § 40109 and a foreign air carrier permit under

49 U.S.C. § 41301, to engage in the following services :

1 The conditions are attached as Appendix A.2

a. Foreign scheduled and c harter air transportation of persons

, property , and mail from any point or points behind any Member State of the European Union via any point or points in any Member State and via intermediate points to any point or points in the United States and beyond;

b. Foreign scheduled and charter air transportation of p ersons
, property , and mail between any point or points in the United States and any point or points in any member of the European Common Aviation Area;

c. Foreign scheduled and charter cargo air transportation between any point or p oints in the

United State s and any other point or points;

d. Other charters pursuant to the prior approval requirements set forth in 14 CFR Part 212 of the Department’s economic regulations ; and

e. Scheduled and c harter t ransportation consistent with any future, additional rights that

m a y be granted to foreign air carriers of the Member States of the European Union.

The applicant provided evidentiary materials required by 14 CFR Part 211 of our regulations to support its requests for authority.

We received no answers to the application.

Decision

We have decided, consistent with our August 23, 2005 Notice referenced above, to grant the applicant’s request for exemption authority, as described below and subject to conditions, and tentatively to grant, subject to show

- cause procedures, its request for a foreign air carrier permit, also subject to conditions.

Specifically, we will grant SkyGreece exemption authority for the services set forth in ordering paragraph 1 below. We will tentatively grant SkyGreece a foreign air carrier permit for these

services.

As an additional matter, SkyGreece requested that we grant it, in addition to authority currently

contained in the U.S.

- EU Agreement, authority to conduct transportation authori zed by any additional route rights made available to EU carriers in the future. We are granting the request of SkyGreece f or this authority by exemption (and tentatively granting it by foreign air carrier permit). We are, however, requiring SkyGreece

, before it commences any new service under this authority, to provide us with evidence that it holds a homeland license for that new service, unless it has already provided such evidence. 2

With respect to the applicant’s request for exemption authority, we find that grant of this authority, as conditioned, is consistent with the public interest. We also find that the applicant is financially and operationally qualified to perform the servic es authorized, and that it is

2 See Orders 2007

- 6

- 19 and 2007

- 10

- 1, and Orders 2007

- 7

- 13 and 2007

- 10

- 16, where we granted this authority to British Airways Plc. and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., respectively.3

substantially owned and effectively controlled in a manner consistent with the provisions of the

U.S.

- EU Agreement. 3 We also find that the authority sought by the applicant is encompassed by

the U.S.

- EU Agreement.

Further, we note that the applicant is properly licensed by its homeland to perform the proposed services. In addition, on April 9 , 201 4

, the Federal Aviation Administration advised us that it knew of no reason why we should act unfavorably on the applicant’s req uests. We have verified the applicant’s compliance with 14 CFR Parts 203 (Warsaw liability waiver), and 205 (insurance requirements).

In view of the above, we find that grant of the requested exemption authority, as conditioned, for

a two

- year term, or u ntil the requested permit authority becomes effective, whichever occurs earlier, is warranted.

Tentative Findings and Conclusions

-- Foreign Air Carrier Permit Application

We tentatively find and conclude that the public interest warrants granting the appl icant a foreign air carrier permit, in the form attached as Appendix B and subject to the conditions attached. 4 In particular, we tentatively find and conclude that the factors which support our grant of exemption authority to the applicant, as discussed above, also warrant granting the applicant the foreign air carrier permit it seeks.

In view of the foregoing and all facts of record and acting under authority assigned by the Department in its regulations, 14 CFR Part 385, we tentatively find and conclud e that:

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

2. The applicant is fit, willing and able properly to perform the foreign air transportation described in the attached permit and to conf orm 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 in a manner consistent with the provisions of the U.S.

- EU Agreement;

4. The public i nterest 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;

3 We make this finding based on Article 2 (Reciprocal Recognition of Regulatory Determinations with Regard to Airline Fitness and Citizenship) of the Protocol to amend the U.S.

- EU Air Transport Agreement, si gned

June 24, 2010.

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

sub mit evidence and objections to the award of this foreign air carrier permit authority. As noted above, no answers were filed to the application.4

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 o f the Department’s decision under that section,

whichever occurs earlier.

In view of the above, we find that, 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 wou ld not constitute a major regulatory action under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975.

ACCORDINGLY,

1. We grant the request of SkyGreece Airlines S.A. for an exemption under 49 U.S.C. §40109

for the services set forth below:

a. Foreign sched uled and charter air transportation of persons

, property , and mail from any point or points behind any Member State of the European Union via any point or points in any Member State and via intermediate points to any point or points in the United

States an d beyond;

b. Foreign scheduled and charter air transportation of persons

, property , and mail between any point or points in the United States and any point or points in any member of the European Common Aviation Area;

c. Foreign scheduled and charter cargo air transportation between any point or points in the United States and any other point or points;

d. Other charters pursuant to the prior approval requirements set forth in 14 CFR Part 212 of the Department’s economic regulations governing ch arters; and

e. Scheduled and c harter t ransportation consistent with any future, additional rights that may be granted to foreign air carriers of the Member States of the European Union.

2

. SkyGreece Airlines S.A. shall, before it commences any new service under subparagraph ( e ) of ordering paragraph 1 above, provide the Department in Docket DOT

- OST

- 201 4

- 0 0 35 with

5 This finding is based on the fact that the grant of this permit will not result in a near

- term net annual c hange in aircraft fuel consumption of 10 million gallons or more.5

evidence that it holds a homeland license for that new service, unless it has already provided such evidence to the Department;

3 . The exercise of the privileges granted above is subject to compliance by SkyGreece Airlines

S.A..

. with the conditions listed in Appendix A;

4 . Our action granting the exemption authority described herein, subject to the provisions of the ordering par agraphs above, is effective immediately, for a period of two years from the issue date of this order, or until the attached permit becomes effective, whichever is earlier;

5 . We may amend, modify, or revoke the exemption authority set forth herein at our discretion at any time and without hearing;

6 . To the extent not acted upon above, we dismiss all requests for exemption authority in the referenced docket (DOT

- OST

- 201 4

- 0 0 35 );

7 . 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;

8 . 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 proceed ing, 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 a re filed, answers to objections are due no later than seven (7) calendar days thereafter;

9

. 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 furth er action;

1 0 . 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; and6

11 . We will serve a copy of this order on SkyGreece Airlines S.A. ; the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C. ; the Department of State ; and the Federal Aviation Administration.

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.govForeign Air Carrier Exemption Conditions Appendix A

In the conduct of the operations authorized, the foreign carrier applicant 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. Gover nment 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, b efore 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

Pri ncipal 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 (A FS

- 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 proceedi ngs 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 a s specifically authorized by the Department, originate or terminate all flights to/from the United States in a Member State of the European Union;

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

ch arter 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 reasonab le 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.

EU carrier 01/2008Appendix B

Issued by

Order 201 4

-

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C.

-------------------------------------------------------- PERMIT TO FOREIGN AIR CARRIER

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

SKYGREECE AIRLINES S.A.

A Foreign Air Carrier of Greece

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:

Foreign scheduled and charter air transportation of persons

, property , and mail from any point or points behind any Member State of the European Union via any point or points in any Member Sta te and via intermediate points to any point or points in the United States and beyond;

Foreign scheduled and charter air transportation of persons

, property , and mail between any point or points in the United States and any point or points in any

member of the European Common Aviation Area;

Foreign scheduled and charter cargo air transportation between any point or points in the United States and any other point or points;

Other charters pursuant to the prior approval requirements set forth in 14 CFR Part 212 of the Department’s economic regulations governing charters; and

Scheduled and c harter t ransportation authorized by any additional route rights made available to European Union carriers in the future; provided , that the holder shall, before it commences any new service under such additional route rights, provide the Department with evidence that it holds a homeland license for that new service (unless it has already provided such evidence to the Department). Such

evidence shall be filed in Dock et DOT

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- 201 4

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.

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 t reaty, 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 p ermit shall be effective on

__________ . 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 right for the service authorized by this permit from the service which may be operated by airlines of the European Uni on and its Member States (or, if the right is partially eliminated, then the authority of this permit shall terminate in like part); or (3) upon the termination or expiration of the applicable air services agreement between the United States and the Europe an Union and its Member States. However, clause (3) 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 European Union and its Member States become parties.

The Department of Transportation has executed this permit and affixed its seal on

By:

PAUL L. GRETCH

Director

Office of International Aviation

(SEAL)Foreign Air Carrier Permit Conditions

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

(1) Not conduct any operations unless it holds a currently effective authorization from its homeland for such operations, and it has filed a co py 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, includ ing, 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 ch arter 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 o f 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, a nd, 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 ch anges 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 waive r 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 agains t 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, th e 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 a uthorized by the Department, originate or terminate all flights to/from the United States in a Member State of the European Union;

(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 o f 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

und er Title 49 of the U.S. Code.

EU carrier 1/2008