### 18616 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2011 / Notices

1 33 FR 17896 (Dec. 3, 1968). The FAA codified the rules for operating at high density traffic airports in 14 CFR part 93, subpart K. The HDR required carriers to hold a reservation, which came
to be known as a ‘‘ slot, ’’ for each takeoff or landing under instrument flight rules at the high density traffic airports.

2 Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR–21), Public Law 106–181 (Apr. 5, 2000), 49 U.S.C. 41715(a)(2).

3 71 FR 51360 (August 29, 2006); Docket FAA– 2006–25709. The FAA subsequently published a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. 73 FR 20846 (Apr. 17, 2008).

4 71 FR 77854. 5 72 FR 63224; 73 FR 48428.

6 73 FR 60574, amended by 73 FR 66517 (Nov. 10, 2008).

7 74 FR 52134 (Oct. 9, 2009).

8 74 FR 51653. of programs, products and services provided by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP), and the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Office of Policy, Planning and Resources (R/PPR).

Methodology

More than 95% of the data collection uses electronic collection techniques. Technology is used in nearly every survey in which safety, security, programmatic, cultural or political concerns are not of sufficient magnitude to pose a negative impact on the respondent. Survey instruments are
distributed via web-based or e-mail technology in PDF format, allowing the respondent to complete the survey and return it anytime during the survey period.

Additional Information: None.

Dated: March 25, 2011. Larry Schwartz, Director, Policy, Planning and Resources (R/PPR), U.S. Department of State.

[FR Doc. 2011–7931 Filed 4–1–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–05–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Aviation Administration**

**[Docket No. FAA–2008–25755]**

**Operating Limitations at New York LaGuardia Airport** 

**AGENCY :**  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

**ACTION :**  Notice of Extension to Order.

**SUMMARY :**  This action amends the Order Limiting Operations at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) that published on December 27, 2006, and was amended on November 8, 2007, August 19, 2008, and October 7, 2009. The
Order remains effective until the final Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport becomes effective but not later than October 26,

2013.

**DATES :**  This amendment is effective on April 4, 2011.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For technical questions concerning this Order contact: Gerry Shakley, System Operations Services, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–9424; facsimile: (202) 267–7277; e-mail: gerry.shakley@faa.gov. For legal questions concerning this Order contact: Robert Hawks, Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–7240; facsimile: (202) 267–7971; e-mail: rob.hawks@faa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
Availability of Rulemaking Documents

You may obtain an electronic copy using the Internet by:

(1) Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal ( http:// www.regulations.gov ); (2) Visiting the FAA’s Regulations and Policies Web page at http:// www.faa.gov/regulations

_ policies/; or (3) Accessing the Government Printing Office’s Web page at http:// www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

You also may obtain a copy by sending a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM–1, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267–9680. Make sure to identify the amendment number or docket number of this rulemaking.

Background

Due to LGA’s limited runway capacity, the airport cannot accommodate the number of flights that airlines and others would like to operate without causing significant congestion. The FAA has long limited the number of arrivals and departures at LGA during peak demand periods through the implementation of the High Density Rule (HDR). 1 By statute enacted in April 2000, the HDR’s applicability to LGA operations terminated as of January 1,

2007. 2

In anticipation of the HDR’sexpiration, the FAA proposed a longterm rule that would limit the number
of scheduled and unscheduled operations at LGA. 3 The FAA issued an Order on December 27, 2006, adopting temporary limits pending the completion of the rulemaking. 4 This Order was amended on November 8, 2007, and August 19, 2008. 5 On October 10, 2008, the FAA published the Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, which would have become effective on December 9, 2008. 6 That rule was stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and subsequently rescinded by
the FAA. 7 This Order was further extended on October 7, 2009. 8

Under the Order, as amended, the FAA (1) Maintains the current hourly limits on scheduled (75) and unscheduled (three) operations at LGA during the peak period; (2) imposes an 80 percent minimum usage requirement for Operating Authorizations (OAs) with defined exceptions; (3) provides a
mechanism for withdrawal of OAs for FAA operational reasons; (4) provides for a lottery to reallocate withdrawn, surrendered, or unallocated OAs; and (5) allows for trades and leases of OAs
for consideration for the duration of the Order. Without the operational limitations imposed by this Order, the FAA expects severe congestion-related delays would occur at LGA and at other airports throughout the National Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA is engaged in a rulemaking effort to implement a long-term congestion management rule at LGA, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The FAA anticipates publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking for the Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport (RIN 2120–AJ89) during the summer of 2011. To prevent this Order from expiring prior to a final rule becoming effective, the FAA has concluded it is necessary to extend the expiration date of this Order until the final Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport becomes effective but not later than October 26, 2013. This expiration date coincides with the expiration dates for the Orders limiting scheduled operations at JFK and EWR, as also amended by notices in today’s Federal Register

.

Therefore, the FAA finds that notice and comment procedures under 5 U.S.C. section 553(b) are impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The FAA further finds that good cause exists to


### 18617 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2011 / Notices

9 Unscheduled operations are operations other than those regularly conducted by an air carrier between LaGuardia and another service point. Unscheduled operations include general aviation, public aircraft, military, charter, ferry, and positioning flights. Helicopter operations are excluded from the reservation requirement. Reservations for unscheduled flights operating under visual flight rules (VFR) are granted when the
aircraft receives clearance from air traffic control to land or depart LaGuardia. Reservations for unscheduled VFR flights are not included in the limits for unscheduled operators. make this Order effective in less than 30 days.

The Amended Order

The Order, as amended, is recited below in its entirety.

A. Scheduled Operations

With respect to scheduled operations
at LaGuardia:

1. The final Order governs scheduled arrivals and departures at LaGuardia from 6 a.m. through 9:59 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday and from 12 noon through 9:59 p.m., Eastern Time, Sunday.

2. The final Order takes effect on January 1, 2007, and will expire when the final Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport becomes effective but not later than October 26,

2013.

3. The FAA will assign operating authority to conduct an arrival or a departure at LaGuardia during the
affected hours to the air carrier that holds equivalent slot or slot exemption authority under the High Density Rule of FAA slot exemption rules as of January 1, 2007; to the primary marketing air carrier in the case of AIR– 21 small hub/nonhub airport slot exemptions; or to the air carrier operating the flights as of January 1, 2007, in the case of a slot held by a non carrier. The FAA will not assign operating authority under the final Order to any person or entity other than a certificated U.S. or foreign air carrier with appropriate economic authority under 14 CFR part 121, 129 or 135. The
Chief Counsel of the FAA will be the final decision maker regarding the initial assignment of Operating
Authorizations.

4. For administrative tracking purposes only, the FAA will assign an identification number to each Operating
Authorization.

5. An air carrier can lease or trade an Operating Authorization to another carrier for any consideration, not to
exceed the duration of the Order. Notice of a trade or lease under this paragraph must be submitted in writing to the FAA Slot Administration Office, facsimile (202) 267–7277 or e-mail 7– AWASlotadmin@faa.gov, and must come from a designated representative
of each carrier. The FAA must confirm and approve these transactions in writing prior to the effective date of the transaction. However, the FAA will approve transfers between carriers under the same marketing control up to 5 business days after the actual operation. This post-transfer approval is limited to accommodate operational disruptions that occur on the same day of the scheduled operation.

6. Each air carrier holding an Operating Authorization must forward in writing to the FAA Slot
Administration Office a list of all Operating Authorizations held by the carrier along with a listing of the Operating Authorizations actually operated for each day of the two-month reporting period within 14 days after the last day of the two-month reporting period beginning January 1 and every two months thereafter. Any Operating
Authorization not used at least 80 percent of the time over a two-month period will be withdrawn by the FAA except:

A. The FAA will treat as used any Operating Authorization held by an air carrier on Thanksgiving Day, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day, and the period from December 24 through the first Saturday in January.

B. The FAA will treat as used any Operating Authorization obtained by an air carrier through a lottery under paragraph 7 for the first 120 days after allocation in the lottery.

C. The Administrator of the FAA may waive the 80 percent usage requirement in the event of a highly unusual and unpredictable condition which is beyond the control of the air carrier and which affects carrier operations for a period of five consecutive days or more.

7. In the event that Operating
Authorizations are withdrawn for nonuse, surrendered to the FAA or are unassigned, the FAA will determine whether any of the available Operating
Authorizations should be reallocated. If so, the FAA will conduct a lottery using the provisions specified under 14 CFR 93.225. The FAA may retime an Operating Authorization prior to
reallocation in order to address operational needs. When the final Order expires, any Operating Authorizations reassigned under this paragraph, except those assigned to new entrants or limited incumbents, will revert to the FAA for reallocation according to the reallocation mechanism prescribed in
the final rule that succeeds the final
Order.

8. If the FAA determines that a
reduction in the number of allocated Operating Authorizations is required to meet operational needs, such as reduced airport capacity, the FAA will conduct a weighted lottery to withdraw Operating Authorizations to meet a reduced hourly or half-hourly limit for scheduled operations. The FAA will provide at least 45 days’ notice unless otherwise required by operational needs. Any Operating Authorization that is withdrawn or temporarily suspended will, if reallocated, be
reallocated to the air carrier from which it was taken, provided that the air carrier continues to operate scheduled
service at LaGuardia.

9. The FAA will enforce the final Order through an enforcement action seeking a civil penalty under 49 U.S.C. 46301(a). An air carrier that is not a
small business as defined in the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632, would be liable for a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for every day that it violates the limits
set forth in the final Order. An air
carrier that is a small business as
defined in the Small Business Act would be liable for a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for every day that it violates
the limits set forth in the final Order.
The FAA also could file a civil action in U.S. District Court, under 49 U.S.C. 46106, 46107, seeking to enjoin any air carrier from violating the terms of the
final Order.

B. Unscheduled Operations 9

With respect to unscheduled flight operations at LaGuardia, the FAA adopts the following:

1. The final order applies to all operators of unscheduled flights, except helicopter operations, at LaGuardia from 6 a.m. through 9:59 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday and from 12 noon through 9:59 p.m., Eastern Time, Sunday.

2. The final Order takes effect on January 1, 2007, and will expire when the final Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport becomes effective but not later than October 26,

2013.

3. No person can operate an aircraft other than a helicopter to or from LaGuardia unless the operator has received, for that unscheduled operation, a reservation that is assigned by the David J. Hurley Air Traffic Control System Command Center’s Airport Reservation Office (ARO). Additional information on procedures for obtaining a reservation will be
available via the Internet at http:// www.fly.faa.gov/ecvrs.


### 18618 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2011 / Notices

1 73 FR 29550 (May 21, 2008), as amended by 74 FR 51648 (Oct. 7, 2009).

2 73 FR 29626 (May 21, 2008); Docket FAA–2008–

0517.

3 73 FR 60574, amended by 73 FR 66516 (Nov. 10, 2008).

4 74 FR 52134 (Oct. 9, 2009).

5 74 FR 51648. 4. Three (3) reservations are available per hour for unscheduled operations at LaGuardia. The ARO will assign
reservations on a 30-minute basis.

5. The ARO receives and processes all reservation requests. Reservations are assigned on a ‘‘ first-come, first-served ’’ basis, determined as of the time that the ARO receives the request. A cancellation of any reservation that will not be used as assigned would be required.

6. Filing a request for a reservation does not constitute the filing of an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, as separately required by regulation. After the reservation is obtained, an IFR flight plan can be filed. The IFR flight plan must include the reservation
number in the ‘‘ remarks ’’ section.

7. Air Traffic Control will accommodate declared emergencies without regard to reservations. Nonemergency flights in direct support of national security, law enforcement, military aircraft operations, or public use aircraft operations will be
accommodated above the reservation limits with the prior approval of the Vice President, System Operations Services, Air Traffic Organization. Procedures for obtaining the appropriate reservation for such flights are available
via the Internet at http:// www.fly.faa.gov/ecvrs.

8. Notwithstanding the limits in paragraph 4, if the Air Traffic Organization determines that air traffic control, weather, and capacity conditions are favorable and significant delay is not likely, the FAA can
accommodate additional reservations over a specific period. Unused operating authorizations can also be temporarily
made available for unscheduled operations. Reservations for additional operations are obtained through the

ARO.

9. Reservations cannot be bought, sold, or leased.

Issued in Washington, DC on March 28,

2011.
Rebecca B. MacPherson, Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations.

[FR Doc. 2011–7843 Filed 4–1–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4910–13–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Aviation Administration**

**[Docket No. FAA–2008–0221]**

**Operating Limitations at Newark Liberty International Airport** 

**AGENCY :**  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. **ACTION :**  Notice of Extension to Order.

**SUMMARY :**  This action amends the Order Limiting Operations at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) that published on May 21, 2008, and was amended on October 7, 2009. The Order
remains effective until the final Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport becomes effective but not later than October 26,

2013.

**DATES :**  This amendment is effective on April 4, 2011.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For technical questions concerning this Order contact: Gerry Shakley, System Operations Services, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–9424; facsimile: (202) 267–7277; e-mail: gerry.shakley@faa.gov

.

For legal questions concerning this Order contact: Robert Hawks, Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–7240; facsimile: (202) 267–7971; e-mail: rob.hawks@faa.gov

.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
Availability of Rulemaking Documents

You may obtain an electronic copy using the Internet by:

(1) Searching the Federal eRulemaking Portal ( http:// www.regulations.gov ); (2) Visiting the FAA’s Regulations and Policies Web page at http:// www.faa.gov/regulations

_ policies/; or (3) Accessing the Government Printing Office’s Web page at http:// www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

.

You also may obtain a copy by sending a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM–1, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267–9680. Make sure to identify the amendment number or docket number of this rulemaking.

Background

Over the past several years, EWR has grown to be one of the most delay-prone airports in the country. In 2007, demand during peak hours approached or exceeded the average runway capacity, resulting in significant volume-related delays. In May 2008, the FAA placed temporary limits on scheduled operations at EWR to mitigate persistent congestion and delays at the airport. 1 This Order also mitigated FAA’s concern about a spillover effect resulting from limiting operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). With a temporary schedule limit order in place, the FAA proposed a long-term rule that would limit the
number of scheduled and unscheduled operations at EWR. 2 On October 10, 2008, the FAA published the Congestion Management Rule for John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, which
would have become effective on December 9, 2008. 3 That rule was stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit and subsequently rescinded by the FAA. 4 This Order was further extended on October 7, 2009. 5

Under the Order, as amended, the FAA (1) maintains the current hourly limits on 81 scheduled operations at EWR during the peak period; (2) imposes an 80 percent minimum usage requirement for Operating Authorizations (OAs) with defined exceptions; (3) provides a mechanism
for withdrawal of OAs for FAA operational reasons; (4) establishes procedures to allocate withdrawn, surrendered, or unallocated OAs; and (5) allows for trades and leases of OAs
for consideration for the duration of the Order. Without the operational limitations imposed by this Order, the FAA expects severe congestion-related delays would occur at EWR and at other airports throughout the National Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA is engaged in a rulemaking effort to implement a long-term congestion management rule at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), JFK, and EWR. The FAA anticipates publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking for the Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport (RIN 2120– AJ89) during the summer of 2011. To prevent this Order from expiring prior to a final rule becoming effective, the FAA has concluded it is necessary to extend the expiration date of this Order until the final Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport
becomes effective but not later than