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###### Department of Transportation

###### Bureau of Transportation Statistics 

# AGENCY:

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT. 

# ACTION:

Notice. 

# SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of DOT requiring large certificated air carriers to file “On-Time Flight Performance Reports” and “Mishandled-Baggage Reports” pursuant to 14 CFR 234.4 and 234.6. These reports are used to monitor the quality of air service that major air carriers are providing the flying public. 

# DATES:

Written comments should be submitted by December 13, 2004. 

# ADDRESSES:

                        Comments should be directed to: Office of Airline Information, K-14, Room 4125, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, FAX NO. 366-3383 or E-MAIL                         *bernard.stankus@bts.gov.*

*Comments:*                         Comments should identify the OMB # 2138-0041. Persons wishing the Department to acknowledge receipt of their comments must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: Comments on OMB # 2138-0041. The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned.                     

# 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, (202) 366-4387. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

*OMB Approval No.:*                     2138-0041.                 

*Title:*                     Airline Service Quality Performance—Part 234.                 

*Form No.:*                     BTS Form 234.                 

*Type of Review:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection.                 

*Respondents:*                     Large certificated air carriers that account for at least 1 percent of the domestic scheduled passenger revenues.                 

*Number of Respondents:*                     18.                 

*Total Burden Per Response:*                     20 hours.                 

*Total Annual Burden:*                     4,380 hours.                 

*Needs and Uses:*

## Consumer Information 

Part 234 gives air travelers information concerning their chances of on-time flights and the rate of mishandled baggage by the eleven largest scheduled domestic passenger carriers. 

## Reducing and Identifying Traffic Delays 

The Federal Aviation Administration uses Part 234 data to pinpoint and analyze air traffic delays. Wheels-up and wheels-down times are used in conjunction with departure and arrival times to show the extent of ground delays. Actual elapsed flight time, wheels-down minus wheels-up time, is compared to scheduled elapsed flight time to identify airborne delays. The reporting of aircraft tail number allows the FAA to track an aircraft through the air network, which enables the FAA to study the ripple effects of delays at hub airports. The data can be analyzed for airport design changes, new equipment purchases, the planning of new runways or airports based on current and projected airport delays, and traffic levels. The identification of the reason for delays allows the FAA, airport operators, and air carriers to pinpoint delays under their control. 

The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note), requires a statistical agency to clearly identify information it collects for non-statistical purposes. BTS hereby notifies the respondents and the public that BTS uses the information it collects under this OMB approval for non-statistical purposes including, but not limited to, publication of both Respondent's identity and its data, submission of the information to agencies outside BTS for review, analysis and possible use in regulatory and other administrative matters. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2004. 

Donald W. Bright, 

Assistant Director, Airline Information. 

[FR Doc. 04-23080 Filed 10-13-04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910-FE-P