Order 2012-6-12

 

 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

 WASHINGTON, D.C.

Issued by the Department of Transportation

on the 18th day of April, 2012

 

Served: June 19, 2012

Docket DOT-OST-2011-0076

ORDER ISSUING CERTIFICATE 

Summary

By this order we grant Spirit Airlines, Inc. (referred to as Spirit or the captioned air carrier) 

consolidated certificate authority to provide combination service in various U.S.-Mexico markets 

for which Spirit holds economic authority by exemption. 

Background and Consolidation Request

In furtherance of the Department’s regulatory streamlining initiative for licensing U.S. air carriers, 

we announced by Notice on February 13, 2009 (February Notice) our intention to realign in 

response to carrier requests the existing non-open-skies economic authority held by carriers 

already holding a blanket open-skies certificate into new consolidated certificates of public 

convenience and necessity.1

 We stated that we would realign economic authority involving 

markets, other than Mexico, that are not open-skies partners of the United States into two 

certificates – an indefinite duration certificate for markets that are not entry- or frequency-limited 

and a five-year certificate for limited-entry or limited-frequency markets so that all authority in 

limited-entry or limited-frequency markets will have a common expiration date. We stated that we 

would cover a carrier’s U.S.-Mexico authority in a separate certificate, as a carrier must obtain 

 1 Notice dated February 13, 2009, in Docket DOT-OST-2005-22228.

In the Matter of Consolidated International Route 

Authority for:

 SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.

under 49 U.S.C. §41102 for a certificate of public 

convenience and necessity (U.S.-Mexico)
2

new economic authority on a city-pair basis each time it proposes to add a new city-pair market to 

its U.S.-Mexico services. 

We invited carriers to request realignment of their economic authority by submitting a letter to the 

streamlining docket, Docket DOT-OST-2005-22228,2 identifying the authority to be included in 

the new certificates. Specifically, the carrier must identify the authority it holds for a particular 

market, whether it is limited to code-share services only, whether the market is entry- or 

frequency-limited, the number of the order in which the authority was granted (for previouslyissued certificate authority) and the docket in which it was granted (for exemption authority). We 

stated that if no issues arise making it impractical to consolidate currently held authority as 

requested by the carrier, we would draft a self-executing final order designed to issue the nonopen-skies market certificate(s) upon completion of the 49 USC 41307 Presidential review 

process.

Spirit previously requested and was issued consolidated certificate authority for various non-openskies markets, other than U.S.-Mexico city pair markets, which it was authorized to serve by 

exemption.3 By letter dated March 7, 2012, Spirit requested a consolidated U.S.-Mexico 

certificate, and provided a listing of the U.S.-Mexico city-pair markets for which it seeks 

consolidation.4

Decision

Under assigned authority and consistent with our streamlining and consolidated certificate 

initiative, we have decided to grant Spirit’s consolidation request and to reissue Spirit’s existing 

economic authority to serve various city pairs in the U.S.-Mexico market. 

Spirit is eligible to receive the consolidated certificate, as described in the February Notice, as it 

holds a blanket open-skies certificate.5

Our action here establishes for the carrier a new route certificate, attached at Appendix A. Each 

U.S.-Mexico city-pair market is included in the certificate as a route segment. We find that grant 

of the certificate is consistent with the public convenience and necessity.6

 We find further that the 

pending consolidated certificate request is not controversial and that it is appropriate to grant the 

authority at issue here under simplified procedures, as explained in the February Notice.7

 

 2 By Order 2012-1-30, we established the Mexico Procedural Docket and, among other things, directed U.S. carriers to 

file requests for consolidated U.S.-Mexico certificate authority in Docket DOT-OST-2011-0076. 3 See Order 2010-1-12 issued November 13, 2009. 4 The city-pair markets for which Spirit seeks a consolidated certificate are listed in Appendix B. This Appendix also 

identifies markets that are authorized to be served on a seasonal basis. 5

 By Order 2007-7-3, Spirit was issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Route 852, authorizing 

the carrier to serve the open-skies partners of the United States. 6

 Based on officially noticeable data, the Department has found the captioned air carrier fit, willing, and able to 

engage in foreign scheduled air transportation of persons, property, and mail using large aircraft. See

Order 2010-1-12. 7

 In accordance with 14 CFR § 302.207, et seq., we may, in our discretion, omit a tentative decision in proceedings 

and proceed directly to a final decision.
3

The authority in the attached certificate is consistent with the aviation agreement between the 

United States and Mexico, authorizing the use of rights for which the United States has exchanged 

valuable operating rights. All of the authority conferred here contributes to the variety of price and 

service options available to travelers and shippers.

We therefore find, under assigned authority, that the public interest warrants granting Spirit the 

consolidated certificate attached at Appendix A, subject to the conditions attached. 

The attached certificate of public convenience and necessity is subject to the standard terms, 

conditions, and limitations we consistently impose in the public interest.8

 The certificate holder 

may request amendment of the certificate to include newly obtained U.S.-Mexico authority 

through the addition of a new route segment, as described in the February Notice. 

Upon effectiveness, the authority granted by this order supersedes any orders previously issued or 

actions taken by the Department granting the carrier operating rights in the listed markets. For 

those services currently operated under an exemption, the exemption will terminate upon the 

effectiveness of the attached certificate of public convenience and necessity.

Findings and Conclusions

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

1. It is consistent with the public convenience and necessity to issue the captioned air 

carrier the certificate attached as Appendix A to this order;

2. On the basis of data officially noticeable under 14 CFR 302.24 of the Department’s 

regulations, the captioned air carrier is a citizen of the United States and is fit, willing, 

and able to perform properly the foreign air transportation described in the attached 

certificate and to conform to the provisions of Subtitle VII of Title 49, United States 

Code (Transportation), and to the Department’s rules, regulations, and requirements;

3. The public interest requires that the exercise of the privileges granted by the attached 

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

certificate and to such others required by the public interest as the Department may 

prescribe;

4. The issuance of the attached certificate to the captioned air carrier does not constitute a 

major regulatory action under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as 

defined by section 313.4(a)(1) of the Department’s regulations;9 and

 8

 See Appendix B for the type of service (own-aircraft vs. code-share-only) currently authorized in each U.S.-Mexico 

city-pair market, including the level of service (year-round vs. seasonal) the carrier provides in each market. We 

remind the carrier to follow established procedures for requesting conversions of its direct-carrier/code-share authority 

and/or noticing service level changes.

9

 Our finding is based on the fact that the grant of this application would not result in a near-term increase in annual 

fuel consumption in excess of 10 million gallons.
4

5. The public interest does not require an oral evidentiary hearing or a show-cause 

proceeding on the application and the actions taken here. There are no material, 

determinative issues of fact requiring such procedures for their resolution.

In view of the above, and acting under authority assigned by the Department in its regulations, 14 

CFR Part 385, we find our action here is consistent with Department policy.

ACCORDINGLY,

1. We issue, as attached in Appendix A, a certificate of public convenience and necessity to 

Spirit Airlines, Inc., covering U.S.-Mexico city-pair markets which Spirit Airlines, Inc., 

is authorized to serve by exemption;

2. This order supersedes any orders previously issued or actions taken by the Department to 

the extent such order or action grants the carrier operating rights, by certificate or 

exemption, in markets covered by the attached certificate;

3. The certificate issued to Spirit Airlines, Inc., will be effective upon the service date of 

this order; 

4. Unless disapproved by the President of the United States under 49 U.S.C. § 41307, this 

order shall become effective upon 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 

the Department’s order under that section, whichever occurs earlier;10 and

5. We will serve this order on Spirit Airlines, Inc.; the Ambassador of Mexico in 

Washington, D.C.; the U.S. Department of State (Office of Aviation Negotiations), and 

the Federal Aviation Administration.

By: 

PAUL L. GRETCH

 Director

 Office of International Aviation

(SEAL)

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

http://www.regulations.gov

 10 This order was submitted for review under 49 USC Section 41307 on April 18, 2012. The 61st day is June 18, 2012. 

Since the President or his designee did not disapprove this order before that date, it became effective on June 18, 2012.
Appendix A

Experimental

Certificate of Public

Convenience and Necessity

for 

 

 ROUTE 907 

This Certifies That

Spirit Airlines, Inc. 

is authorized, subject to the provisions of Subtitle VII of Title 49 of United 

States Code, the orders, rules, and regulations issued thereunder, and the 

attached Terms, Conditions, and Limitations, to engage in foreign air 

transportation of persons, property and mail.

This certificate is not transferable without the approval of the Department of

the Transportation.

 By Direction of the Secretary

Issued by Order 2012-6-12 Paul L. Gretch 

On April 18, 2012 Director, Office of 

Effective on June 18, 2012 International Aviation
Order 2012-6-12

 Route 907

Page 1 of 3

Terms, Conditions, and Limitations

Spirit Airlines, Inc. for Route 907

is authorized to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail over 

the following U.S.-Mexico city-pair route segments:

Fort Lauderdale-Cancun

Fort Lauderdale-Toluca

Detroit-Cancun

Dallas/Ft. Worth-Toluca
Order 2012-6-12

 Route 907

Page 2 of 3

This authority is subject to the following conditions:

(1) The holder shall at all times conduct its operations in accordance with the regulations 

prescribed by the Department of Transportation for the services authorized by this certificate, 

and with such other reasonable terms, conditions, and limitations as the Department of 

Transportation may prescribe in the public interest.

(2) The holder shall at all times conduct its operations in accordance with all treaties and 

agreements between the United States and other countries, and the exercise of the privileges 

granted by this certificate is subject to compliance with such treaties and agreements and with 

any orders of the Department of Transportation issued under them. To the extent that the holder 

has authority to serve more than one country or points in more than one country on the same 

route segment, that authority does not confer upon the holder any additional rights (including 

fifth-freedom intermediate and/or beyond rights) in limited-entry markets unless the Department 

has completed any necessary carrier selection procedures to determine which carrier(s) should be 

authorized to exercise such rights and has notified the foreign country(ies) involved that any such 

selected carrier(s) has the required authority. In such cases, the fact that the carrier may hold 

authority to serve the countries (points) at issue on the same segment will not be considered as 

providing any preference to the holder in a carrier selection proceeding.

(3) The exercise of the authority granted here is subject to the holder’s first obtaining from 

the appropriate foreign governments such operating rights as may be necessary. 

(4) The holder’s authority is effective only to the extent that such operations 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, 49 CFR Part 1544. To assure compliance with all applicable U.S. 

Government requirements concerning security, the holder shall, before commencing any new 

service (including charter flights) to or from a foreign airport, contact its Principal Security 

Inspector (PSI) to advise the PSI 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. 

(5) The holder shall at all times remain a “Citizen of the United States,” as required by 

49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(15).

(6) The holder shall maintain in effect liability insurance coverage as required under 14 CFR 

Part 205. Failure to maintain such insurance coverage will render a certificate ineffective, and 

this or other failure to comply with the provisions of Subtitle VII of 49 U.S.C. or the 

Department’s regulations shall be sufficient grounds to revoke this certificate.

(7) The holder acknowledges that this certificate is granted to determine if the holder’s 

projected services, efficiencies, methods, rates, fares, charges, and other projected results will, in 

fact, materialize and remain for a sustained period of time, and to determine whether the holder 

will provide the innovative and low-priced air transportation it proposed in its application for this 

authority. 
Order 2012-6-12

 Route 907

Page 3 of 3

(8)(a) The holder may combine services on all city-pair route segments of this certificate and 

combine services on this certificate with U.S.-Mexico combination services authorized by other 

Department of Transportation certificates or exemptions, subject to the conditions below.

(8)(b) The provisions in paragraph (8)(a), above, shall not authorize services which would 

constitute multiple designations on city-pair route segments where such multiple designations are 

not agreed to by the United States and Mexico. 

(9) The holder shall file a notice with the Department if it discontinues services on a city-pair 

route segment for 90 days or longer. This notice shall be given as soon as the decision to 

discontinue service (other than seasonal/intermittent) is made, but in no case later than the 91st

day of dormancy. Notices shall be filed in the form of a letter addressed to the U.S. Department 

of Transportation, U.S. Air Carrier Licensing Division, X-44, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, 

Washington, DC 20590, and shall identify the dormant city-pair route segment, and the date the 

market became (or will become) dormant. 

(10) Should the holder propose any substantial changes in its ownership, management, or 

operations (as that term is defined in 14 CFR 204 of the Department’s regulations), it must 

comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 204.5.

(11) In the event the holder ceases all operations for which it was found “fit, willing, and 

able,” its authority under this certificate shall be suspended under the terms of 14 CFR 204.7 and 

the holder may neither recommence nor advertise such operations unless its fitness to do so has 

been redetermined by the Department. Moreover, if the holder does not resume operations 

within one year of its cessation, its authority shall be revoked for dormancy.

The authority to serve each city-pair route segment in this certificate shall continue in effect until

June 18, 2017; notwithstanding the above, however, the authority to serve any city-pair route 

segment shall expire automatically and revert to the Department (a) the 90th day after the holder 

discontinues service on that segment, or (b) the holder notifies the Department (as provided in 

this certificate) that the segment is dormant, whichever occurs earlier; unless the Department 

earlier suspends, modifies, or deletes the authority.
Appendix B

Page 1 of 1

List of U.S.-Mexico Markets

Submitted for Consolidation by Spirit

Own-Aircraft Markets

Market Type of 

Authority

Docket Number Level of 

Service

Fort Lauderdale-Cancun Exemption DOT-OST-2003-15306 Year-round

Fort Lauderdale-Toluca Exemption DOT-OST-2011-0011 Year-round

Detroit-Cancun Exemption DOT-OST-2004-18692 Seasonal

Dallas/Ft. Worth-Toluca Exemption DOT-OST-2012-0021 Year-round