Order 2013-1-11

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Issued by the Department of Transportation

on the 17th day of January, 2013

Served: January 17, 2013

Application of

BH AIR LTD Docket DOT-OST-2012-0192 

 

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 a foreign air carrier 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 designed 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.

 1 The conditions are attached as Appendix A.
2

Application

By application filed November 1, 2012, BH AIR Ltd (BH AIR), a foreign air carrier of Bulgaria, 

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

49 U.S.C. §41301, to engage in:

a. 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 State and via intermediate points to any point or points in the United States 

and 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 (ECAA); 

c. other charters pursuant to the prior approval requirements set forth in Part 212 of the 

Department’s economic regulations; and

d. transportation authorized by any additional route rights made available to European 

Union carriers in the future.

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 BH AIR’s application.

Decision

We have decided, consistent with our August 23, 2005 Notice referenced above, to grant the 

applicant’s request for exemption 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.

Specifically, we will grant BH AIR exemption authority for the services set forth in ordering 

paragraph 1 below. We will tentatively grant BH AIR a foreign air carrier permit for these 

services, as discussed below.

As an additional matter, BH AIR has requested that we grant it, in addition to authority currently 

contained in the U.S.-EU Agreement, authority to conduct transportation consistent with any 

additional rights that may be granted to foreign air carriers of the European Community in the 

future. We are granting BH AIR’s request for this authority by exemption (and tentatively 

granting it by foreign air carrier permit). We are, however, requiring BH AIR, 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

 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

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 services authorized, and that it is 

substantially owned and effectively controlled 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 January 3, 2013, 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).

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

a two-year term, or until 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 applicant 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 conclude 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 conform 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;

 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, signed 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 submit 

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

filed to the application.
4

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, and 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 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 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 

perform those operations; and that grant of the exemption authority 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 BH AIR Ltd for an exemption under 49 U.S.C. §40109 for the 

services set forth below: 

a. 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 State and via intermediate points to any point or points in the United 

States and 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. other charters pursuant to the prior approval requirements set forth in 14 CFR Part 212 of 

the Department’s regulations; and

d. transportation authorized by any additional route rights made available to European 

Union carriers in the future.

 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.
5

2. BH AIR Ltd shall, before it commences any new service under subparagraph (d) of ordering 

paragraph 1 above, provide the Department, in Docket DOT-OST-2012-0192, with 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 BH AIR Ltd with the 

conditions listed in Appendix A;

4. Our action granting the exemption authority described herein, subject to the provisions of 

ordering paragraphs 1 through 3 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 Docket 

DOT-OST-2012-0192;

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 proceeding, 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 are 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 further action;

10. 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; and
6

11. We will serve a copy of this order on BH AIR Ltd, the Embassy of Bulgaria 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.gov
Foreign 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. 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 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 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 proceedings 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 as 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 

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 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 01/2008
Appendix B

Issued by

Order 2013- _-_

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

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

PERMIT TO FOREIGN AIR CARRIER

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

BH AIR LTD

A Foreign Air Carrier of Bulgaria

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 State 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;

Other charters pursuant to the prior approval requirements set forth in 14 CFR Part 

212 of the Department’s regulations; and

Transportation 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 Docket DOT-OST-2012-0192.

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 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 Union 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 European 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 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 (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 

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 (AFS260), 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 proceedings 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 as 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 

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 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 01/2008