UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

Served: August 31, 2011

NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS

By this Notice, we invite U.S. air carriers to file applications for the 21 scheduled 

combination frequencies that are now available, and the 21 that will become available on 

January 1, 2012, as set-out in the ad referendum agreement between the United States 

and Colombia, signed May 10, 2011 (the Agreement).

1

The Agreement establishes “Open Skies” between the United States and Colombia, with 

a transition period that ends December 31, 2012. During the transition period, frequency

restrictions will apply only to scheduled combination services on thirteen frequencyrestricted routes.2

 Scheduled combination services on all other routes are not frequencyrestricted.

At this time, U.S. carriers are allocated ninety-one (91) frequencies for scheduled 

combination services on frequency-restricted routes as follows: American – 35, 

Continental – 21, Delta – 14, JetBlue – 7, and Spirit – 14. Pursuant to the Agreement, an 

additional 21 weekly round-trip frequencies are available immediately for scheduled 

combination services on frequency-restricted routes for a total of 112. On January 1, 

2012, an additional 21 frequencies will become available for services on frequencyrestricted routes for a total of 133. All frequency restrictions for scheduled combination 

services will be removed after December 31, 2012. 

Applications

So that we may promptly allocate these new opportunities, by this Notice we are 

soliciting applications for the 21 new frequencies that are available now and the 21 

frequencies that will become available on January 1, 2012, for scheduled combination 

services, and for underlying economic authority (certificate/exemption) to the extent 

necessary. Applications for these opportunities should be filed no later than 15 days from 

the service date of this Notice, and should be served on all U.S. carriers operating large 

aircraft. Applications should conform to Part 302, Subpart C, of our regulations (14 CFR 

Part 302).

 1 On August 26, 2011, the United States and Colombia completed an exchange of diplomatic notes to 

provisionally apply the Agreement until a further exchange of diplomatic notes formally brings the 

Agreement into force. 2 The frequency-restricted routes are: Atlanta-Bogota, Ft. Lauderdale-Bogota, Ft. Lauderdale-Cali, 

Ft. Lauderdale-Medellin, Houston-Bogota, Los Angeles-Bogota, Miami-Bogota, Miami-Cali, MiamiMedellin, New York/Newark-Bogota, New York/Newark-Medellin, Orlando-Bogota, and WashingtonBogota.
2

All applications should be filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New

Jersey Avenue, S.E., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, D.C.

20590.3 Applicants are instructed to submit a courtesy copy via electronic mail to the

following email addresses: Brett.Kruger@dot.gov and Esta.Rosenberg@dot.gov. 

Applications should include, at a minimum, a brief description of the types of service the 

applicant currently provides, if any, between the United States and Colombia; the points 

in the United States, Colombia, and third countries to be served; whether the applicant is 

seeking frequencies available now, January 1, 2012, or both; the number of weekly 

frequencies requested for each of the proposed services; the proposed start-up date(s); the 

type of service proposed (year-round or seasonal); and the type of aircraft to be used, its 

capacity, and the availability of that aircraft. For all of the proposed services,

applications should indicate any variation of frequencies/routings by traffic season, if 

applicable. Applicants should state the minimum number of frequencies they are willing 

to accept; prioritize multiple requests, where applicable; and include a statement as to 

whether the applicant would use the authority granted if the Department grants only a 

portion of the request. Applicants may submit any additional information that they 

believe will help us in awarding the subject authority.

We will serve this Notice by electronic mail on certificated U.S. carriers operating large 

aircraft, the U.S. Department of State (Office of Aviation Negotiations), the Federal 

Aviation Administration (AFS-200), and the Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia.

By:

PAUL L. GRETCH

Director, Office of International Aviation

(SEAL)

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

http://www.regulations.gov

 3 Filings should be on 8-1/2” X 11” white paper using dark ink (not green) and be unbound without tabs,

which will expedite use of our docket imaging system. In the alternative, filers are encouraged to use the

electronic submission capability available through the Federal Dockets Management System internet site

(http://www.regulations.gov) by following the instructions on that web site.