Order 20 10

- 2

- 24

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C

.
Issued by the Department of Transportation

on th e 22 nd day of February, 20 10

Served : February 22, 2010

Application of

ALBINATI AERONAUTICS SA Docket DOT

- OST

- 200 9

- 0243

for a n 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 a foreign air carrier permi t attached as Appendix B to this order.

Background

On August 23, 2005, the Department issued a Notice, in Docket 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 o rder (1) granting the exemption request for whatever duration we would normally have imposed, or until certificate/permit authority becomes effective, whichever is shorter, and (2) tentatively deciding ( i.e.

, show

- cause) to award a corresponding certificat e (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 open

- entry markets, and in the case of permits, five years for comity and reciprocity regimes, indefinite for agreement regimes).

1 The conditions are attached at Appendix A.2

Our action in this Order serves to implement these streamlined regulatory procedures for the application involved in this proceeding.

Application

By application filed October 6, 2009, Albinati Aeronautics SA, a foreign air carrier of Switzerland, r equests an exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 40109, and a foreign air carrier permit under 49 U.S.C. §41301, to engage in charter foreign air transportation of persons , property and mail from points behind Switzerland via S witzerland and intermediate points to a point or points in the United States and beyond; and to conduct other charters pursuant to Part 212 of the Department’s Regulations , using small aircraft

.

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 this 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 e xemption 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 authorit y, we find that grant of this authority is con sistent with the public interest and that the applicant has demonstrated, based on the record, that it is substantially owned and effectively controlled by citizens of Switzerland, 2

and that it is financially a nd operationally qualified to perform the services authorized

. 3

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

the United States and Switzerland. W e therefore find that grant of the requested exemption

autho rity, for a two

- 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, by memorandu m dated December 10, 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration advised us that it knew of no reason why we should act unfavorably on the applicant’s requests. We have verified the applicant’s compliance with 14 CFR Parts 203 (Warsaw liability waiver), and 205 (insurance requirements).

2 With respect to the ownersh ip and control of the appli cant, the record indicates that Albinati Aeronautics is wholly owned by Mr. Stefano Albinati, a Swiss citizen. In addition, Albinati Aeronautics’ seven member management team

and all members of its Board of Directors are citizen s of Switzerland.

3 The applicant has requested confidential treatment of its financial submissions and ownership information , un der the provisions of 14 CFR§302 .12. Good cause having been shown, we will grant this request.3

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 Appe ndix 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 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, for operations with small aircraft;

2. The applicant is f it, 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 own ed 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, an d 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 A ct 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 t he 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 i mplementing 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

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 foreig n air carrier permit authority. As noted above, no answers to the application were filed.

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.4

perform those operations; and that grant of the exemption a uthority 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 Albinati Aeronautics SA for an e xemption under 49 U.S.C. § 40109 to permit it to engage in charter foreign air transportation of persons , property and mail from points behind Switzerland via Switzerland and intermediate points to a point or points in the United States and beyond, and to conduct other charters purs uant to Part 212 of the Department’s Regulations ;

2. In the conduct of these operations, Albinati Aeronautics SA may only use aircraft capable of carrying no more than 60 passengers and hav ing a maximum payload capacity of no more than 18,000 pounds; 6

3

. The exercise of the privileges granted above is subject to compliance by Albinati Aeronautics

SA w ith the conditions listed in Appendix A;

4 . We grant the motion of Albinati Aeronautics SA for confidential treatment of its financial submissions, cons istent with the provisions of 14 CFR §302.12;

5 . Our action granting the exemption authority described herein is effective immediately, for a period of two yea rs f rom the issue date of this order, or until the attached permit becomes effective, whichever is earlier;

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

7 . To the extent not acted upon above, we dismiss the applicant’s request for exemption authority in this docket ( DOT

- OST

- 200 9

- 0 243 );

8 . 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 ;

9 . 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 dat e 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, statistica l 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;

6 The applicant has specifically stated that it was applying to provide the service requested using small aircraft.5

10 . 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;

1 1 . In the event no objections are filed, all further procedural steps shall be deemed waived, and the Department will enter an order which will (subje ct 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

12 . We will serve a copy of this order on the applicant, the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C., th e Department of State , and the Federal Aviation Administration.

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

issua nce 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,govForeign Air Carrier Exemption Conditions Appendix A

In the conduct of the operations autho rized, 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 applicabl e 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 o f 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

Administratio n 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 evidenc e 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 ai r 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 int ernational 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

Wars aw 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 o ther 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 o therwise transferred without explicit Department approval under Title 49 of the U.S. Code.

12/2007Appendix B

Issued by

Order



### UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C.

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



### --------------------------------------------------------- 

### ALBINATI AERONAUTICS SA

A F oreign Air Carrier of Switzerland

is authorized, subject to the following provisions, the provisions of Title 4 9 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 from points behind Switzerland via Switzerland and intermediate points to a poin t or points in the United States and beyond

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.

In the c onduct of the operations authorized by this permit, the holder may only use aircraft capable of carrying no more than 60 passengers and having a maximum payload capacity of no more than 18,000 pounds.

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 . 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 a mendment, 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 Switzerland (or, if the right is partially eliminated, the n 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 Switzerland in lieu of the holder; or (4) upon the termination or expirat ion of the applicable air services agreement between the United States and Switzerland. However, clause (4) of this paragraph shall not apply if prior to such termination or expiration, the foreign airtransportation authorized herein becomes the subject of another treaty, convention or agreement to which

the United States and Switzerland b ecome parties.

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

By:

PAUL L. GRETCH

Director

Office of International Aviation



### (S EAL)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 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 (includ ing 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 c hanges 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 airw orthiness 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 Co nvention 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 o r 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 stoppin g 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 "internatio nal 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 Depart ment, 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 ot herwise 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 complian ce 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.

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