Ecker t Seaman s Chen n & Mellott , LL C FE L 20 2 65 9 660 0 174 7 Pennsylvani a Avenue , N W F/S X 20 2 65 9 669 9 Suit e 120 0 '.vvv w Hrkert'e.-irn.jns.iXj m Washington , D.C . 2000 6 Evely n D . Sah r Direc t dial : 202.659.662 2 Email : eshar@eckeTtseamans.con i Novembe r

17 , 200 9 ^^ ^ VI A FEDERA L EXPRES S . ^ U.S . Departmen t

o f Transportatio n ' 1 Offic e o f th e Secretar y o f

Transportatio n 120 0 New Jerse y Avenue , S E Washington , D C 2059 0 Attention : Rober t

Ashb y Re : Ai r

Pacifi c Limite dReques t for Conflic t o f Law Waive r

Determinatio n Dea r Mr . Ashby , O n behal f o f Ai r Pacifi c Limite d("Ai r

Pacific") , w e ar e writin g i n respons e t o th e Department' s Octobe r 20 , 200 9 lette r

(se e Exhibi t

l)regardin g Ai r

Pacific' s Septembe r

11 , 200 8 reques t

for a conflic t o f la w waive r

unde r sectio n 382. 9 o f

th e Department' s Ai r

Carrie r Acces s Ac t regulation , 1 4 CF RPart

382 . (Se e Exhibi t

2. ) Pursuan t

t o atelephon e conferenc e with Kathlee n Blan k Reither , Senio r

Attorney , a

n extensio n o f

tim e unti l Novembe r

20 , 200 9 t o provid e th e document s requeste di n th e Department' s Octobe r 20 , 200 9 was granted . (Se e Exhibi t 3. ) Accordingly , thi s respons e i s timel y filed. Th e Department' s Octobe r 20 , 200 9 lette r

requeste dacop y o f

th e Civi l Aviatio n Authorit y o f Fij i Island s ("CAAFI" ) regulation s whic h conflic t with 1 4 CF RPart

38 2 a s wel l acopies o f

th e section s o f

Ai r Pacific' s Airport

Handlin g Manua l an dAi r Operator' s Certificat e implementin g th e conflictin g CAAF I regulations . Th e section s o f Ai r Pacific' s Airport

Handlin g Manua l implementin g th e conflictin g CAAF I regulation s wer e previousl y submitte dwith th e Septembe r 11 , 200 8 reques t

fo r conflic t o f la w waiver . (Se e Exhibi t 2. ) Whil e paragrap h B1 9 o f Ai r Pacific' s Ai r

Operator' s Certificat e was previousl y submitte dwith th e Septembe r 11 , 200 8 reques t fo r conflic t o f la w waiver , paragraph s A 4 an dA 5 o f th e Ai r Operator' s Certificate , whic h ar e discusse dbelow , wer e no t previousl y submitted . (Paragraph s A 4 an dA 5 ar e attache dheret o a s Exhibi t 4. ) Regulatio n 3 4 o f

th e CAAF I regulation s i s attache dheret o fo r th e first time . (Se e Exhibi t

5 attached. ) Regulatio n 3 4 specificall y state s tha t upo n issuanc e o f

th e Ai r Operator' s Certificat e o f Competency , "th e certificat e ma y b e grante dsubjec t t o suc h condition s a s th e Authorit y [CAAFI ] think s fit...." (Se e Regulatio n 34(2 ) a t Exhibi t 5. ) Furthermore , "th e operato r shal l compl y with Ai r

Operator' s Certificat e o f Competenc y standard s notifie db y th e Authorit y [CAAFI].... " (Se e Regulatio n 34(5 ) a t Exhibi t 5 , emphasi s added. ) Therefore , Ai r Pacifi c i s require db y la w t o compl y with th e condition s containe di n it s Ai r Operator' s Certificat e o f Competency .

WASHiNi , roM , D C p I rrs B u , ! • i H , f' A H A R R I s B u R ;"] . i'• \ p H I L . \

D f I p i M A , :' \

I'.osron , M A / V M M I r

j (- , rO f J , D E ^' ^ '" ) R '" , . \

: i rO ' W U , W V ' > O 1 1 I M P r ) I M r[ p . \ , v 1 1 i i t p i ,- , i ; j 5 , : j yAi r

Pacifi c Limite d Novembe r

17 , 200 9 Paragrap h B1 9 o f

Ai r Pacific' s Ai r

Operator' s Certificat e o f Competenc y specificall y discusse s th e procedure s Ai r

Pacifi c mus t

follo w i n transportin g servic e anima l i n th e aircraf t cabin . (Se e Exhibi t 2. ) Ai r Pacifi c i s require db y la w t o compl y with thes e procedures . Subparagrap h 1 o f Paragrap h B1 9 o f

th e Ai r Operator' s Certificat e o f Competenc y states , "[t]h e anima l mus t b e carrie di n accordanc e with th e documente dcompan y procedures. " (Se e Exhibi t 2 , emphasi s added. ) Thus , th e provision s o f Ai r Pacific' s Airpor t

Handlin g Manua l regardin g th e transportatio n o f

servic e animal s mus t

b e followe da s amatte r

o f law . An y deviatio n fromth e procedure s an drequirement s i n th e Airpor t Handlin g Manua l woul dconstitut e alegal breac h o f Ai r Pacific' s Ai r

Operator' s Certificate . Ai r Pacific' s Ai r

Operator' s Certificat e als o require s tha t Ai r Pacifi c "shal l fiimish th e Controlle r Ai r Safet y o f th e Civi l Aviatio n Authorit y o f th e Fij i Island s acop y o f ever y operation s manual , trainin g manua l an do f

al l othe r writte n instruction s t o hi s operatin g staff , fo r th e tim e bein g i n effec t concernin g th e operatio n o f th e aircraf

t unde r thi s certification. " (Se e Exhibi t 5 ; paragrap h A4. ) Furthermore , "[e]ver y flight unde r thi s certificat e shal l b e conducte di n accordanc e with th e relevan t provision s o f

th e aforesai doperation s manual , trainin g manual , an dinstructions. " (Se e Exhibi t 5 ; paragrap h A5. ) Accordingly , Ai r Pacifi c mus t

follo w it s Airpor t

Handlin g Manual , includin g th e provision s i n Sectio n 10.2. 6 regardin g seatin g for passenger s with disabilities , Sectio n 10.2.2. 3 regardin g advanc e notic e frompassenger s with disabilities , an dSectio n 10.2.2. 5 regardin g indemnit y clearanc e for passenger s with disabilities . Thes e provision s wer e discusse d i n detai l i n Ai r

Pacific' s Septembe r

11 , 200 8 reques t

for aconflic t o f la w waiver . (Se e Exhibi t 2. ) I n conclusion , th e CAAF I regulation s legall y requir e Ai r Pacifi c t o compl y with th e condition s o f it s Ai r Operator s Certificat e an dit s Airpor t Handlin g Manual . Non-complianc e wil l resul t i n Ai r Pacific' s Ai r

Operator s Certificat e bein g suspende do r revoked . Accordingly , Ai r Pacifi c appreciate s you r

carefii l consideratio n o f

it s Septembe r

11 , 200 8 conflic t

o f law s waive r

request . Shoul dyo u hav e an y furthe r question s regardin g Ai r

Pacific' s operations , pleas e d o no t hesitat e t o contac t us . Respectfiill y submitted , Evely n D . Sah r Jennife r L . Andrew s Counse l for

Ai r Pacifi c Limite d Enclosure s

# e U.S . Departmen t o f Transportatio n Offic e o f th e Secretar

y o f Transportatior r GENERA L COUNSE L Octobe r20,200 9 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Avenue , S E Washington , D C 20S9 0 Certifie dMai l - Retur n Receip t Requeste d Ms . Evely n D . Sah

r Ms . Jennifer

L . Andrew s Attorney s fo

r Ai r Pacifi c Limite d Ecker t Seaman s Cheri n & Mellott , LL C 174 7 Pennsylvani aAvenue , N.W. , Suit e 120 0 Washington , D.C . 2000 6 Re : Conflic t o f La w Waiver Determinatio n Reques t Concernin g Provision s o f 1 4 CF R382.11 7 Dea r Ms . Sah r an dMs . Andrews : Thi s lette r concern s Air

Pacifi c Limited' s (Ai r

Pacific ) September

11 , 2008 , reques t

fo r aconflic t o f la w waiver under sectio n 382. 9 o f

th e Department

o f Transportation' s (Department) Ai r Caixie r Acces s Ac t

(ACAA ) regulation , 1 4 CF RPar t 382 . Th e provision s o f

Par t 38 2 fo r whic h relie f i s requeste dpertai n t o th e accommodatio n o f servic e animal s accompanyin g passenger s wit h disabilitie s i n sectio n 382.117 . In addition , whil e Ai r Pacifi c doe s no t

cit e th e specifi c Par

t 38 2 provision s involved , th e carrie r request s relie f

fromPar

t 38 2 requirement s concernin g seatin g accommodations , medical documentation , an dadvanc e notic e a s the y relat e t o passenger s wit

h disabilitie s accompanie db y servic e animal s (i.e. , section s 382.81(c) , 382.23 , an d 382.27 , respectively) . Th e Departmen t i s continuin g t o revie w Ai r Pacific' s request s concernin g variou s other

provision s o f

Par t 382 . A t thi s time , w e are neithe r grantin g no r

denyin g Ai r Pacific' s conflic t

o f la w waive r reques t fromth e provision s o f

sectio n 382.11 7 o r

fromth e provision s o f

section s 382.81(c) , 382,23 , an d382.27 , a s the y relat e t o passenger s travelin g wit h servic e animals , pendin g th e carrier' s respons e t o our reques t fo r fiirther informatio n a s outline d below . Sectio n 382. 9 state s tha

t aforeig n ai r

carrie r ma y reques t aconflic t

o f la w waiver fromth e Department

i f th e carrier

believe s tha

t aprovisio n o f

th e la w o f aforeig n natio n preclude s th e carrier fromcomplyin g wit

h aprovisio n o f

Par t 382 . Ai r

Pacifi c assert s tha

t it i s legall y obligate dto compl y wit

h th e safet

y requirement s o f

th e Civi l Aviatio n Authorit y o f th e Fij i Island s (CAAFI ) dealin g wit h th e accommodatio n o f

servic e animal s implemente din it s Airpor t Handlin g Manua

l (AHM ) andi n it s Ai r

Operator s Certificate (AOC) . Th e carrier fiirther assert s tha t anumber o f th e CAAF

I safet y requirement s directl y conflic t wit h variou s provision s o f

Par t 382 . Specifically , Air

Pacifi c contend s that

i n order t o retai n it s blanke t

approval fromCAAFI to transpor t servic e animal s i n th e passenge r cabin , passenger s travelin g wit h aservic e animal/do g ar e require dto provid e anima l healt h an dtrainin g certifications , adoctor' s report , an da t leas tseve n day s advanc e notic e i n accordanc e wit h it s AHM. ' In addition . Ai r Pacifi c maintain s tha

t it s AHM implement s CAAF I requirement s o n seatin g accommodation s fo r passenger s wit

h servic e animals ^ a s wel l a s restrain t an dothe r

condition s o n aservic e animal' s transpor t i n th e cabin^ tha t conflic t wit h Par t 382 . Unde r

sectio n 382.117 , carrier s generall y mus t permi t servic e dog s t o accompany passenger s i n th e aircraf t cabi n withou t

requirin g documentatio n o f th e dog' s healt h o r trainin g statu s a s aconditio n for transport. ^ Likewis e whil e carrier s are permitte dunder sectio n 382.117(e ) to require documentatio n o f apassenger' s disability a s aconditio n fo r acceptin g a

n emotiona

l suppor t o r psychiatri c servic e dog , the y generall y mus t no t require passenger s wit

h adisabilit

y travelin g wit

h othe r type s o f

servic e animal s t o provid e documentatio n concernin g thei r disability a s aconditio n fo r ai r transportation . I

n addition , carrier s ar e generall y prohibite dunde r sectio n 382.2 7 fromrequirin g apassenger wit h a disability fraveling wit

h aservic e animal t o provid e advanc e notic e excep t unde r circumstance s define di n tha

t section. ^ Carrier s mus t

als o provid e apassenger

wit h adisability travelin g wit h a servic e anima

l eithe r abulkheadsea

t o r asea t othe r than abulkheadseat , a s th e passenger requests , under

sectio n 382.81(c) . Finally , under sectio n 382.117(b ) carrier s mus t permi t a servic e anima

l to accompany apassenge r with adisability in an

y sea t i n whic h th e passenger

sit s unles s th e anima

l obstruct s a

n aisl e o r othe r are ause dt

o facilitate a

n emergenc y evacuation . Th e Enforcement

Offic e ha s lon g interprete dthi s provisio n t o mea n tha t i n general carrier s mus t

no t requir e restraint s (e.g. , harnes s andleash , muzzle , confinemen t in a n animal carrier ) o n servic e animal s accompanyin g user s a t thei r seats. ^

' Sectio n 9.10.2 , pars^raph s 1 , 2 , 3 an dS o f th e AH M requit e th e passenge r t o mak e availabl e t o th e cairie r a t th e tim e o f bookin g aquarantin e permit , aveterinar y certificatio n an dimmunizatio n record s a s require db y coimtrie s o f entry , certificate s frombona-fid e Stat e o r Dog/Anima l Trainin g Associatio n confirmin g tha t th e servic e anitnals/dog s ar e appropriatel y traine dan dqualified , an dadoctor' s repor t o n th e customer' s disabilit y condition . ^ Sectio n 9.10. 3 o f

th e AH M require s tha t servic e animals/dog s occup y th e floo r spac e i n front

o f awindo w sea t

i n th e las t ro w o f eithe r th e Busines s o r

Econom y Clas s cabin , dependin g o n th e passenger' s clas s o f service , wit h th e adjacen t sea t occupie db y th e perso n wit h adisability . ^ Sectio n 9.10. 3 o f

th e AH M require s tha t servic e animals/dog s b e seate do n amoistur e absorben t ma t (passenge r mus t provid e on e ma t

fo r eac h fligh t

segment) , muzzled , harnesse dan drestraine db y tyin g th e leas h t o a n aircraf t fixture . * Sectio n 382.11 7 generall y require s carrier s t o permi t aservic e anima l t o accompan y aperso n wit h adisabilit y i n th e aircraf

t cabi n an dexempt s foreig n carrier s fromth e requiremen t t o transpor t

servic e animal s othe r

tha n dogs . I t define s th e factor s acarrie r mus t conside r i n determinin g it s obligatio n t o accep t a n anima l a s aservic e anima l fo r transpor t an dspecifie s th e condition s carrier s ma y impos e o n th e transpor t o f servic e animals . ^ Carrier s ar e permitte dt o requir e passenger s t o provid e u p t o 4 8 hours ' advanc e notic e t o transpor t a n emotiona l suppor t o r psychiatri c servic e anima l i n th e cabin , o r t o trave l o n fligh t

segment s schedule dt o tak e 8 hour s o r mor e unde r section s 382.27(c)(8 ) an d382.27(c)(9 ) respectively . ^ I n orde r

t o adequatel y assis t

passenger s wit h certai n type s o f disabilitie s (e.g. , seizures , diabetes , deafiiess , psychiatri c o r

menta l disorder) , i t

ma y b e necessar y fo r

th e servic e anima l t o remai n i n physica l contac t wit h th e individua l throughou t

th e flight . Fo r

example , apassenge r

usin g asmal l seizur e aler t o r adiabeti c aler t

anima l wil l typicall y hol dth e anima l i n hi s o r he r la p durin g th e fligh t

(e.g. , a s on e woul dhol da n infan t o r smal l child) , s o tha t th e anima l ca n detec t

an daler t

th e passenge r

t o physica l symptoms . Likewise , asmal l emotiona l suppor t anima l ma y b e hel di n th e la p o f it s use r t o assis t th e individua l i n managin g hi s o r he r symptom s (e.g. , lickin g o r nuzzlin g a passenge r

wit h pani c disorde r

t o hel p hi mo r

he r remai n calm) . Th e Enforcemen t Office , therefore , ha s lon g interprete dth e inten t

o f sectio n 382.117(b ) a s requirin g carrier s t o permi t servic e animal s t o b e transporte dfree o f

T-'." . •"• . n .-T.TJP

j ; r ^Vf^T^'H'i^f ^Althoug h Ai r Pacifi c ha s asserte dth e foregoin g conflict s betwee n provision s o f it s AHM an d AO C an dPar t 382 , th e carrie r

ha s no t cite do r provide dan y specifi c CAAF I regulation s a s th e basi s o f thi s conflic t

o f law s waiver

request . Under

sectio n 382.9(c) , aconflict o f la w waive r mus t include : 1 ) acop y i n Englis h o f th e foreig n la

w involved ; 2 ) adescriptio n o f ho w th e foreign la w applie s an dho w i t

preclude s complianc e wit h aprovisio n o f

Par t 382 ; an d3 ) a descriptio n o f

th e alternativ e mean s th e carrier wil l use , i f

th e waiver

i s granted , to effectivel y achiev e th e objectiv e o f

th e provisio n subjec t

to th e waive r

o r ajustificatio n o f

why it woul d b e impossibl e t o achiev e thi s objectiv e i n any other way . A s Ai r

Pacifi c ha s faile dto satisf y th e element s o f

aconflic t o f la w waiver reques t specifie di n sectio n 382.9(c) , w e ar e unabl e t o mak e adeterminatio n o n it s conflic t o f law waiver

reques t fromsection s 382.117 , 382.23 , 382.27 , an d 382.81 . I

n orde r fo r th e Department

t o make adetermination . Ai r Pacifi c mus t

sen dth e informatio n outline dabove . I n addition , w e reques t tha t Ai r Pacifi c includ e acop y o f th e section s o f

it s Airpor

t Handlin g Manua

l and Ai r

Operator s Certificate implementin g th e allegedl y conflictin g CAAF I regulations . W e as k that you respon dwit

h th e requeste d informatio n withi n 1 5 day s o f th e dat e o f

thi s letter . I f you hav e an y question s abou t thi s matter , pleas e contac t Rober t Ashb y a t (202 ) 366-472 3 o r m e a t (202 ) 366-9342 . Yo u ma y als o reac h u s b y fa x a t (202 ) 366-7152 . Sincerely ,

• Samuel Todbercgk

y Assistan t Genera l Coimse l fo

r Aviatio n Enforcement

an dProceeding s

r^sU-ainin g device s whil e accompanyin g user s a t thei r seat s unles s neede dt o mitigat e asignifican t threa t t o th e healt h o r safet y o f othe r passenger s o r

asignifican t

disruptio n o f

cabi n service .

^•^v^»4J)tlfjJ'll.lr"^•"^r^^;'^'g^^*''"lS^^-'• ; \^^9'^^^-^fH'-^T . * "^jt^T'Ts-'^T^ T -v^ . f* i -J?. ; WW5*'?

' T ^ r ? 'r^ i ti-.^KT-nr^ t nmw^>^rtv

- wre nEckert Seaman s Cheri n & Mellott , LL C 174 7 Pennsylvani a Avenue , N W Suit e 120 0 Washington , DC . 2000 6 TE L 20 2 65 9 660 0 FA X 20 2 65 9 669 9 w/ww.eckertseamans.co m Septembe r 11,200 8
Assistan t Genera l Counsel Aviatio n Enforcemen

t an dProceeding s C-7 0 U.S . Departmen

t o f Transportatio n 1200 Ne w Jersey Avenue , S E Roo mW96-32 2 Washington , D C 2059 0 Re : Conflict

o f Law s Waiver

Reques t Dea r Sirs : Pursuant to 1 4 C.F.R . §382. 9 (2008) , Ai r Pacifi c Limite d("Air

Pacific" ) respectfull y submit s thi s reques t

fo r aconflic t o f law s waiver

fro mvariou s provision s o f

Par t 382 , Nondiscriminatio n o n th e Basi s o f

Disabilit y i n Ai r Trave l (hereinafter

referre dt o a s Par

t 382) . Ai r

Pacifi c i s Fiji' s international airlin e andi s governe dby th e Civi l Aviatio n Authorit y o f th e Fij i Island s ("CAAFI") . Fij i i s amember o f th e Internationa

l Civi l Aviatio n Organizatio n ("ICAO") , anda s suc h i s require dto adhere t o Standard s andRecommende dPractice s ("SARPs" ) establishe db y ICAO ; I n particular . Ai r

Pacific , a s acarrier

o f Fiji , i s require dt

o compl y wit

h th e Anne x 9 : Facilitatio n t

o the Conventio n on International Civi l Aviatio n (Chicago , 1944) . (Attache dhereto a s Exhibi t A. ) I n complianc e wit

h Anne x 9 , Ai r

Pacifi c ha s implemente dit s Airpor t Handlin g Manual . (Relevant

portion s attache dheret o a s Exhibi t B whic h i s clearl y marke dandshoul db e treate da s Confidentia

l Busines s Information. ) Ai r Pacifi c take s seriousl y it s obligatio n t o provid e acces s t

o ai r trave l to passenger s wit

h disabilitie s unde

r Par t 382 , however . Ai r

Pacifi c i s legall y obligate dto compl y wit h th e CAAFI safet

y standard s an

drequirement s it

ha s implemente di

n it s Airpor

t Handlin g Manua

l a s wel l a s it s CAAFI-issue dAi r Operator s Certificate ("AOC" ) (Relevan t Portion s attache dheret o a s Exhibi t C whic h i s clearl y marke dan d shoul db e treate da s Confidentia l Busines s Information ) whic h a t time s conflic t

wit h certai n provision s o f

Par t 382 . Therefore , Ai r

Pacifi c respectfully request s your carefu l consideratio n o f th e conflict s o f

law s identifie dherein . I ) 1 4 C.F.R . §382.117 : Mus t carrier s permi t

passenger s wit h adisabilit y t o trave l wit h servic e animals ? Generally , under

1 4 C.F.R . §382.117 , Ai

r Pacifi c i s require dto permi t servic e dog s i

n th e passenger cabi n without

advance dnotic e or

documentatio n a s t

o th e trainin g o r

healt h o f th e do g o r th e passenger' s disability . Thes e requirement s conflic t wit h th e CAAFI polic y and requirement s o n th e transportatio n o f servic e animal s i

n th e aircraf

t passenger

cabin . Ai r

Pacific

WASHINGTON , D C PITTSBURGH , P A HARRISBURG , P A PHILADELPHIA , P A MORGANTOWN , W V 50UTHP0INTE , P A BOSTON , M A WHIT E PLAINS , N Y WILMINGTON , D E

# I^^ l N S

require s tha

t passenger s travellin g wit

h aservic e do g provid e a

t leas t seve n (7 ) day s advance d notic e andprovid e th e following documentation , s o tha t CAAF I give s blanke t

approva l o f th e transport of th e servic e do g i n th e passenge r cabin : 1 . Quarantin e Permit(s ) permitting/authorisin g th e Servic e Animals/Dog s entr y into th e countrie s intende dwhere trave l i s onboar dAi r Pacific . It

i s th e responsibilit

y o f th e owner to obtai n relevan t

Quarantin e Permit(s ) an dan y other certificatio n a s require ddirectl y wit h th e appropriate Authorities . 2 . Ve t Certificatio n an

dImmunisatio n record s a s require db y countrie s o f entry . 3 . Certificate s fro

mbona-fide Stat e or

Dog/Anima

l Trainin g Associatio n confirmin g tha

t th e Servic e Animals/Dog s i s appropriatel y traine dan d quidified... . 5 . Doctor' s repor

t on customer's disabilit

y condition . Applicatio n fo

r trave l i s on th e basi s tha

t Servic e Animals/Dog s i s accompanie d b y th e perso n wit

h disabilit y an dth e ultimate authorit y rest s wit h CAAFI a s pe

r th e condition s o f

Air Pacific' s Fij i AOC . {Se

e Paragrap h B1 9 o f

AO C a t Exhibi t 

### c. ) (Se e Sectio n 9.10. 2 o f

Airpor t Handlin g Manua

l a t Exhibit B . Note tha

t paragrap h 4 o f

Sectio n 9.10. 2 i s bein g delete dfro

mth e Airpor

t Handlin g Manual , an

dtherefore , Ai r

Pacifi c respectfully request s tha

t DO T no t consider th e provision s therein. ) Accordingly , Ai r Pacifi c i s obligate db y CAAFI to require passenger s to provid e documentatio n regardin g thei r disability condition , th e healt h an dtrainin g o f

th e servic e animal in order to verif y tha t th e animal i s aservic e anima l rathe r tha n apet . T o th e extent

thes e requirement s conflict wit h Par t 382 , Ai r Pacifi c respectfull y request s aconflict s o f law s waiver . Ai r Pacifi c mus t

als o comply wit

h CAAFI requirement s on seatin g passenge r andhis/her

servic e animal . O n Air

Pacifi c flights, th e windo w sea t i n th e las t ro w o f th e busines s andeconom

y clas s cabin s (Air

Pacifi c doe s no t

hav e first clas s cabins ) ar

e allocate dt o th e servic e animals , s o i t can occup y th e floor

spac e o f th e allocate dseat . The adjacen t sea t shal l b e occupie dby th e perso n wit

h th e disability . Additionally , CAAFI an dAir Pacifi c require th e followin g measures : Servic e Animals/Dog s mus t b e seate do n amoistur

e absorbent

mat , muzzled , harnesse dandrestraine dby tyin g th e leas h t o a n aircraf t fixture e.g . le g o f

aircraf t seat . Th e customer

wil l provid e o n absorbent ma t fo r eac h flown sector . CAAF I ma y hav e other

specifi c requirement s an

dthes e mus t

b e complie dwit

h andadhere dt o prio r

to acceptanc e fo

r uplift . Airpor t groun dstaf

f mus t ensur e al l relevan t

certificatio n document s ar e sighte d andi n order durin g th e check-i n process .

WASHINGTON , D C PITTSBURGH , P A HARRISBURG , P A PHILADELPHIA , P A BOSTON , M A WILMINGTON , D E MORGANTOWN , W V SOUT H p3lNTE , P A WHIT E PLAINS , N Y

# MMN S Uplif t shal l b e denie dshoul dany o f th e abov e o r

CAAFI' s conditio n ar

e no t met . (Se e Sectio n 9.10. 3 o f

Airpor t Handlin g Manua

l a t Exhibi t B. ) Thus , t o provid e maximu mspac e fo r apassenger

travellin g wit

h aservic e dog . Ai r

Pacifi c reserve s asea

t fo r th e passenger

andth e servic e dog . Additionally , du e t o th e lon g hau l nature o f Ai r Pacific' s flights fro

mFij i t o th e U.S. , Ai r Pacifi c require s tha

t servic e dog s are properl y andsafely secure dan dsi t o n amoisture absorben t mat , s o tha

t they do no t

reliev e themselve s o n th e aircraf t carpetin g o r

fabric . To th e exten t thes e requirement s conflic t wit h Par t 382 , Ai r Pacifi c respectfiilly request s aconflict s o f law s waiver . 2 ) 1 4 C.F.R . §382.87 ; Wha t othe r requirement s pertai n t o seatin g fo r passenger s with adisability ? 1 4 C.F.R . §382.8 7 prohibit s Ai r Pacifi c fromexcludin g any passenger wit h adisabilit

y fro man y seat or requirin g tha

t apassenger

wit h adisabilit

y sit i n an y particula

r seat , o n th e basi s o f disability , excep t

to comply wit

h applicabl e government

safet y requirements . Ai r

Pacific' s polic y o n seatin g passenger s wit h disabilitie s i s focuse do n safety : Seatin g o f passenger s wit

h disabilitie s wil l no t

b e restricte donly t o seat s wit h Lift-u p Ar mRest s unles s otherwis e stated . Passenger s wit

h disabilitie s wil l no t

b e permitte dseat s i n designate demergenc y exi t row s on an

y aircraf t o r o n th e upper-dec k

o f th e B74 7 aircraft . I t i s recommende dtha

t passenger s wit

h disabilitie s si t

o n forwar dseat s a s possibl e behin dbassine t

rows . Wher

e spac e allows , seat s beside passenger s [shall ] b e blocke dof

f fo r us e s o [an ] empt

y sea t i s availabl e fo

r us e b y cre w whe n liasing/handlin g passenger . Wher e multipl e passenger s are travelling , it i s recommende dtha

t the y are seate dtogether

when possible... . Passenger wit h visio n and/o r

hearin g impairment

travellin g wit

h a reader/attendant

ma y b e seate do n any sea

t excep t o n emergenc y exi t

rows . (Se e Sectio n 10.2. 6 o f

Airpor t Handlin g Manua

l a t Exhibi t B. ) Thus , fo

r safet y reasons , passenger s wit

h disabilitie s are no t

permitte dto si t

i n exi t row s o r o n upper-deck s o f

aircraft . Ai

r Pacifi c respectfully submit s tha t th e abov e lega

l mandate s are simila

r t o th e FA A requirement that Unite dState s carrier s mus t follo w requirin g th e carrier to reasonabl y determin e i f a passenge r wit h adisabilit

y ha s th e physical an dmenta l capabilitie s t

o si t i n aparticula

r seat , specificall y in a

n exi t ro w seat . Accordingly , Air Pacifi c respectfiilly request s awaiver fro mthe provision s o f

1 4 C.F.R . §382.87 . 3 ) 1 4 C.F.R . §382.25 : Ma y acarrie r requir e apassenge r

with adisabilit y t o provid e advanc e notic e tha t

h e o r sh e i s travelin g o n aflight? 1 4 C.F.R . §382.2 5 prohibit s Ai r Pacific , excep t

i n thos e limite dcircumstance s liste din 1 4 C.F. R §382.27 , fro

mrequirin g advanc e notic e fro mpassenger s wit

h adisability . However , du e to the

WASHINGTON , D C PITTSBURGH , P A HARRISBURG , P A PHILADELPHIA , P A BOSTON , M A WILMINGTON , D E MORGANTOWN , W V SOUTHp3lNTE , P A WHIT E PLAINS , N Yo

long-hau l natur

e o f Ai r Pacific' s flights fromFij i to the U.S. , Air Pacifi c require s passenger s id-^-

- wit h disabilitie s provid e aminimumo f 4 8 hour s advanc e notic e an dt o check-i n on e hour

i n advanc e o f

th e check-i n time fo

r th e general public . Thi s advanc e notic e an dearl y check-i n time , provid e th e Ai r

Pacifi c staf

f wit h valuabl e tim e to prepare to addres s th e need s o f a passenge r wit h adisability . Thus , Ai r

Pacifi c respectfully request s aconflic t o f law s waiver fro m1 4 C.F.R . §382.25 . 4 ) 1 4 C.F.R . §382.35 ; May carrier s requir e passenger s wit h adisabilit y t o sig n waiver s o r releases ? Generally , 1 4 C.F.R . §382.3 5 prohibit s Ai r Pacifi c fro

mrequirin g passenger s wit h disabilitie s t o sig n areleas e o r

waiver i n orde r to receiv e transportatio n or t o receiv e service s o r accommodation s fo

r adisability . Thi s prohibitio n conflict s wit h Air Pacific' s medical safet

y measure s in whic h it

ma y reques t "a n indemnit

y clearanc e i f

trave l involve s an y human , hazar d. ; o r safet y ris k t o th e perso n or

other person s (includin g pregnant passengers). " (Se e Sectio n ^ , ; ' 10.2.2. 5 o f

Airpor t Handlin g Manua

l a t Exhibi t B. ) Due to th e lon g hau l nature o f Ai r Pacific' s flight fromFij i t o th e U.S. , an

dth e extremel y limite dnumbe r o f opportunitie s fo

r diversio n a s th e route s are entirel y over th e Pacifi c Ocean , Ai r

Pacifi c staf

f mus t carefully evaluat e a passenger' s healt

h condition . If

apassenger' s conditio n i s sever e enoug h t o caus e Ai r

Pacifi c staf f concer n over th e passenger' s healt

h despit e th e presentatio n o f amedical certificate . Ai r Pacifi c respectfull y request s tha t it b e abl e t o continu e t o exercis e it s discretio n i n requirin g passenger s to sig n a

n indemnit

y clearance . Accordingly , Air Pacifi c respectfull y request s a waiver fro mth e provision s o f

1 4 C.F.R . §382.35 . Conclusio n A s discusse dabove , th e provision s o f Par t 38 2 an dth e CAAF

I mandate dsafet

y requirement s implemente di n the Airpor t Handlin g Manua

l appl y conflictin g requirement s t o th e same flights. A s acarrie r

certifie dby th e CAAFI , Ai r Pacifi c i s legall y require dto compl y wit h CAAFI' s safet y regulation s o r

it wil l fac e non-compliance , whic h ma y negativel y impac t

it s AOC . Accordingly , Air

Pacifi c appreciate s your

carefu l consideratio n o f

th e abov e request s fo

r conflict s o f

law s waivers . Shoul dyo u hav e an y question s regardin g Ai r Pacific' s operations . Ai

r Pacifi c wil l gladl y provid e clarification . Respectfully submitted , Evelyn D . Sah

r Jennife r L . Andrew s Counse l fo

r Ai r Pacifi c Limite d

WASHINGTON . D C PITTSBURGH , P A HARRISBURG , P A PHILADELPHIA , P A BOSTON , M A WILMINGTON , D E MORGANTOWN , W V S0UTHp4lNTE , P A WHIT E PLAINS , N Y

# EXHIBI T ACivi l Aviatio n o f th e Fij i Island s (CAAFI ) Pag e 1 of 2 

# flg ^ Civi l Aviatio n Authorit y

, o f th e Fij i Island s ^'^^^^r-^-fSSSm^ -

CAAF I Hom « Abou t CAAF I Contac t U s 2 J Searc h Resource s 5 Septembe r200 8 Th e Department s " Ai rSafet y * Groun d Safet y * Aviatio n Safet y & Securit y • ' CAAF I Corporat e Th e Organisatio n * Objective s & Commitmen t -* • Function s + Stalcefiolder s

- Organisatio n Char t & Boar d + Contac t Detail s Form s fc Download s

- » Genera l ' Airworthines s • * High t operation s

- Groun d Safet y

- ' Aviatio n Law s & Standard s

- Aviatio n Safet y & Securit y ' Safet y Managemen t Syste m (SMS ) Propose d Legisiatlv e Change s > Ai rNavigatio n Regulation s • » Act s + Standard s Document s > other s CAAF I New s & Update s Calenda ro f Event s Classified s

- » Tender s & Proposal s

- » Vacancie s Othe rRelate d Website s • • www,civllavlation.gov,t } CAAF I New s G o t o th e en d o f thi s articl e | Lis t o f article s ICA O Standard s & Recommende d Practice s 1 5 Se p 200 5 15:09:0 8 Fij i I s a membe ro f th e Internationa l Civi l Aviatio n Organisatio n (ICAO ) an d a s suc h I s require d t o adher e t o Standard s an d Recommende d Praaice s (SARPs ) se t u p b y tlii s worl d body . Thes e standard s appl y particularl y t o interr.ationa l airport s bu t fo rdomesti c airports , th e State s decid e th e Standards . Annexe s t o th e Chicag o Conventio n Standard s an d Recommende d Practice s an d Procedures ; Technica l Manual s an d Guidanc e Materia l Articl e 3 7 o f th e Chicag o Conventio n state s tha t th e Internationa l Ovi l Aviatio n Organisatio n (ICAO ) shal l adop t internationa l standard s an d recommende d practice s an d procedure s regardin g safety , regularit y an d efficienc y o f ai rnavigation . Standard s an d Recommende d Practice s (SARPS ) ar e designate d a s Annexe s t o th e Convention . A t presen t ther e ar e 1 8 Annexes . A Standar d i s a specificatio n recognise d a s necessary fo rth e safet y o r regularit y o f internationa l ai rnavigation . Unde rth e Convention , an y Stat e findin g i t impractica l t o compl y i n al l respect s wit h an y Standar d mus t giv e immediat e roCficatio n t o ICA O o f an y difference s betwee n it s nationa l regulation s an d prartice s an d th e Standard s i n th e Annexes , A Recommende d Practic e i s a specificatio n recognise d a s desirabl e i n th e interes t o f safety , uniformit y o refficienc y o f internationa l ai r navigation . State s ar e invite d t o nobf y ICAO o f an y difference s fro m th e Recommende d Practice s i n th e Annexes , whe n thi s i s importan t fo rth e safet y o f ai rnavigation . Th e Annexe s can b e divide d int o fiv e group s coverin g man , machine , operations , airspace/ai rnavigatio n service s an d aerodrome . Ma n Anne x 1 Personne l Licensin g Machin e Anne x 7 Airaaf t rationalit y an d registratio n marl^

s Anne x 8 Airworthines s o f aircraf t Anne x 1 6 Environmenta l protectio n Operahon s Anne x 2 Rule s o f th e ai r Anne x 6 Operatio n o f aircraf t Anne x I S Transpor t o f dangerou s good s Airspace /

Anne x 3 Meteorologica l servic e Ai rNavigab'o n Anne x < ) Aeronairtica l charge s Service s Anne x 5 Unit s o f measuremen t Anne x 1 0 Aeronautica l telecommunication s Anne x 1 1 Ai rtraffi c service s Anne x 1 2 Searc h an d rescu e Anne x 1 5 Aeronautica l informatio n servic e Aerodrom e Anne x 9 Facilitatio n Anne x 1 4 Aerodrome s Anne x 1 7 Securit y Tol l Fre e Aviatio n Safet y Line : 080 0 67 2 579 9
» FCAI R For m Downloa d

- > For m O R 00 1 - MO R

- For m O R 00 2 - Bir d Strik e Notificatio n

- > For m Q A 10 8 - Feedbac k / Complaint s Lates t New s 9 Ju l 200 8 Standards-Aerodrome s MR D 1 4 t o S D 6 Ma y 200 8 Update s o n AN R unde r Propose d Legislativ e Change s 5 May 200 8 Amendment s t o th e 4 Governin g rule s o f Civi l Aviatio n withi n Fij i 2 Ma r200 8 For m A D 115 C Quarter s Reques t fo r Maintenance/Repair s 1 3 Ja n 200 8 SEIF R Operation s An d Amendment s

- ^ Mor e nevi/

s 8 L update s Quic k Link s

- • Authority' s Function s • Corporat e Objective s * Aviatio n Standard s • Contac t Detail s

http://www.caafi.org.fj/index.cfm?si=main.resources&cmd=forumview&cbegin=1089&uid.. . 9/5/200 8• Civi l Aviatio n o f th e Fij i Island s (CAAFI ) Pag e 2 o f 2

Total ; 1 3 topic s Subjec t For m A D 115 C Quarter n Reques t fo r Maintenance/Repair s SEIF R Operation s An d Amendment s Fij i AI C Previou s { Nex t Update d 2 Ma r 200 8 1 3 Ja n 200 8 2 3 De c 200 7 Amendmen t 2 t o S D fo rANR145 B Aviatio n Trainin g 5 De c Institution s 200 7 Bes t Practice s Guid e fo rMaintainin g Agin g Genera l 4 De c Aviatio n Airplane s 200 7 Bes t Practice s Guid e fo rMaintainin g Agin g Genera l 4 De c Aviatio n Airplane s 200 7 Registratio n Fo rAOS- B Avionic s For m 2 8 No v 200 7 Applicatio n fo rNominatio n o f Accountabl e Perso n 2 1 Se p 200 7 ICA O Standard s 6 Recommende d Practice s 1 5 Se p 200 5 Pres s Releas e 21/5/200 2 1 5 Se p 200 5 Previou s I Nex t Filte rb y Keywor d Stio w 1 0 : a t a tim e I Refres h I

Bac k t o Publ k Copyrigh t 200 5 Civi l Aviatio n Authorit y o f th e Fij i Island s Privac y | Contac t CAAF I

http://www.caafi.org.fj/index.cf m?si=main.resources&cmd=forumview&cbegin=1089&uid.. . 9/5/200 8,OAC/< , Internatlona i Standard s an d Recommende d Practice s

Anne x 9 t o th e Conventio n o n Internationa l Civi l Aviatio n 

# Facilitatio n

Till s editio n incorporate s al l amendnnent s adopte d b y th e Counci l prio rt o 8 Marc h 200 5 an d supersedes , o n 2 4 Novembe r2005 , al l previou s edition s o f Anne x 9. . Fo rinformatio n regardin g th e applicabilit y o f th e Standard s an d Recommende d Practices , se e Foreword .

Twelft h Editio n Jul y 2005

Internationa l Civi l Aviatio n Organizatio nChapte r 8 Anne x 9 —Facilitatio n circumstances , between civi l aviatio n securit y an dfacilitatio n programmes . T

o thi s end , certai n member s o f Facilitatio n Committee s shoul dals o b e member s o f Securit y Committees . 8.2 1 Recommende dPractice.

—I n establishin g an d operatin g Nationa l Ai r

Transpor

t an dAirpor

t Facilitatio n Committees , State s shoul dus e the guidanc e materia l outline d in Appendice s I t

an d12 . G . Facilitatio n o f th e transpor t o f passengers requirin g specia l assistanc e

I . Genera

l 8.2 2 Recommende dPractice.

—Whe n travelling , person s wit h disabilitie s shoul db e provide dwit h special assistanc e in orde r t o ensure that

the y receiv e service s customarily availabl e to the genera l public . Suc h assistanc e include s the offering o f information an ddirection s in medi athat ca n b e understoo dby traveller s wit

h cognitiv e o r

sensor y disabilities . 8.2 3 Recommende dPractice.

—Contractin g State s shoul dcooperat e wit

h avie w t o takin g th e necessar

y measure s t o mak e accessibl e t o person s wit h disabilitie s al l th e element s o f the chai n o f

th e person' s journey , fro mbeginnin g t o end . 8.2 4 Recommende dPractice.

—Contractin g State s shoul dtak

e th e necessary step s wit h aircraf t operators , airport s an dgroun dhandlin g operator s to establis h minimu m unifor mstandard s o f

accessibility wit

h respec t to transpor tatio n service s fo r

person s wit

h disabilities , fro marriva l a t th e airpor t o f departur e to leavin g th e airpor t o f destination . 8.25 Recommende dPractice.

—Contractin g State s shoul dtak

e th e necessary step s wit h aircraf t operators , airports , groun dhandlin g operator s an dtrave l agencie s to ensure that

person s wit

h disabilitie s ar e given the informatio n the y nee dan dshoul dtake th e necessary step s to ensur e that airlines , airports , groun dhandlin g operator s an dtrave l agencie s ar e i n apositio n to giv e thos e passenger s the assist

anc e necessar

y fo r them , dependin g on thei r needs , to hel p the min thei r travel . 8.2 6 Recommende dPractice.

—Contractin g State s shoul dtak

e al l necessar y step s t o secur e th e cooperatio n o f aircraf t operators , airport s an dgroun dhandlin g operator s in orde r t o establis h an dcoordinat e trainin g programme s to ensure that

traine dpersonne l ar e availabl e t o assis t person s wit h disabilities . II . Acces s to airport s 8.2 7 Contractin g State s shal l tak e the necessar

y step s to ensur e tha t airpor t facilitie s an dservice s ar e adapte dt

o th e need s o f person s wit

h disabilities . 8.2 8 Recommende dPractice.

—Contractin g State s shoul densur e tha

t lifting system s o r

an y othe r

appropriat e device s ar e mad

e availabl e in orde r

to facilitat e th e movemen t o f elderl y an ddisable dpassenger s betwee n th e aircraf t an d th e termina l o

n bot h arriva l an ddepartur e a s require dwher e telescopi c passageway s ar e no t used . 8.2 9 Recommende dPractice.

—Measure s shoul db e take n to ensur e tha

t th e hearing

- an dvision-impaire dar e abl e to obtai n flight

information . 8.3 0 Recommende dPractice.

—Fo r elderl y an ddisable d person s bein g se t

dow n o r picke du p a t atermina l building , reserve dpoint s shoul db e locate da s clos e a s possibl e to main entrances . T

o facilitat e movemen

t to th e variou s area s o f

th e airport , acces s route s shoul db e fre e o f obstacles . 8.3 1 Recommende dPractice.

—Wher e acces s to publi c service s i s limited , ever

y effor t shoul db e mad e t o provid e accessibl e an dreasonabl y price dgroun dtransportatio n service s b y adaptin g curren t an dplanne dpubli c transi t sys tem s o r by providin g special transport service s fo r

peopl e wit

h mobilit y needs . 8.3 2 Recommende dPractice.

—Adequate parkin g facilitie s shoul db e provide dfo r peopl e wit

h mobilit y need s an dappropriat e measure s taken to facilitat e thei r movemen t between parkin g area s aru L the termina l buildings . 8.3 3 Recommende dPractice.

— Direc t transfe r fro m on e aircraf

t to anothe r

o f passengers , particularl y elderl y an d disable dpassengers , shoul db e authorize dwher e necessar y an dpossible , wheneve

r thi s i s warrante db

y deadline s in makin g connectin g flight s o r b y othe r circumstances . HI . Acces s to ai r

service s 8.3 4 Contractin g State s shall taic e th e necessar

y step s to ensur e tha

t person s wit

h disabilitie s hav e adequat e acces s to ai r services . 8.3 5 Recommende dPractice.

— Contractin g State s shoul dintroduc e provision s b y whic h aircraf t comin g newl

y into servic e o r

after major refurbishment

shoul dconfor

mt o minimu munifor mstandard s o f

accessibility wit

h respec t to equipment o n boar daircraf

t whic h woul dinclud e movabl e armrests , on-boar dwheelchairs , lavatorie s an dsuitabl e light

in g an dsigns . 8.3 6 Recommende dPractice.

—Wheelchairs , specia l apparatu s an dequipmen

t require db

y person s wit

h disabilitie s shoul db e carrie dfre e o f charg e i n th e cabi n where , i

n th e vie w o f th e aircraf

t operator , spac e an dsafet y requirement s permi t o r shoul db e designate da s priorit y baggage . Servic e animal s accompanyin g passenger s wit h disabilitie s shoul d als o b e carrie dfre e o f

charg e in th e cabin , subjec t t o th e applicatio n o f

an y relevan t

nationa l o r

aircraf t operato r regulations . 8- 3 24/11/0 5Anne x 9 —Facilitatio n 8.3 7 Recommende dPractice.

—I n principle , person s wit h disabilitie s shoul db e permitte dto determin e whethe r o r not the y nee da n escor

t an dt o trave l without

th e requirement fo r amedica l clearance . However , advanc e notic e shoul db e mandator y wher e assistanc e o r

lifiin g i s required . Aircraf t operator s shoul donl

y b e permitte dt o requir e passenger s wit h disabilitie s to obtai n amedical clearanc e i n case s o f medica l conditio n wher

e i t i s clea r tha t thei r safet y o r well-bein g o r that o f other passenger s canno t

b e guarantee dFurthermore , aircraf t operator s shoul donly b e permitte dt o requir e a n escor t whe n i t i s clea r tha t aperso n wit

h disabilitie s i s no t self-reliant

and , a s such , th e safet y o r well-bein g o f

that perso n o r tha t o f anothe r passenge r

canno t b e guaranteed . 8.3 8 Recommende dPractice.

—I f the presenc e o f

a n escor t i s require dContractin g State s shoul dencourag e aircraf t operator s to offe

r discount s fo r

the carriag e o f

that accompanyin g person . H . Assistanc e t o aircraf t acciden t victim s an dthei r familie s 8.3 9 The Stat

e o f Occurrenc e o f

a n aircraf t accident an d adjacen t State s shall mak

e arrangement s t o facilitat e th e entr y into their territor y on atemporar

y basi s o f famil y member s o f victim s o f a n aircraf t accident . 8.40 The Stat

e o f Occurrenc e an

dadjacen t State s shal l als o mak e arrangement s to facilitate the entr y inf o their territory , on atemporar

y basis , o f

authorize drepresentatives o f Chapte r 8 the operato r

whos e aircraf

t ha s me t wit h the accident , o r

o f th e operator' s allianc e partner , i n order to enabl e the

mt o provid e assistanc e t o survivor s andtheir famil y members , th e famil

y member s o f

the decease dvictim s o f the accident

andthe relevant authoritie s i

n thes e Stales . iWote.

—Code-sharin g an dsimilar allianc e agreement s sometime s require allianc e partner s t o ac t a s "firs t responde r

" o n behal f o f a n affecte doperato r

in cas e th e allianc e partne r ca n ge t t o th e locatio n o f

th e acciden t

quicker than the affecte d operator . 8.4 1 Recommende dPractice.

—I n arrangin g fo r

th e entry o f th e person s referre dt o i n 8.39 , th e State o f Occur

renc e an dadjacen t

State s shoul dno t

require an y othe r

trave l document than apassport , o r

a n emergenc y trave l document issue dspecificall y t o suc h persons , to enabl e the mt o trave l t o thes e States . In case s wher e th e State o f

Occurrenc e o f

th e acciden t o r a n adjacen t

State require s entranc e visa s fo r per son s referre dt o i n 8.3 9 an d8.4 0 above , i t shoul dexpedit

e th e issuanc e o f

suc h visas . 8.4 2 Contractin g State s shall mak e arrangement s t o issu e emergenc y trave l documents , if required , t o thei r

national s wh o hav e survive dth e accident . 8.4 3 Contractin g State s shall exten dall necessar y assist

ance , such a s arrangin g transpor t andclearin g customs , i

n th e repatriatio n o f

huma n remain s to their

countrie s o f

origin , on reques t b y famil y member s o f

the decease dor

th e operato r whos e aircraf

t met wit h the accident .

24/n/O S 8- 4