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###### Department of Transportation

###### Research and Innovative Technology Administration 

          - [Docket: RITA 2008-0002 BTS Paperwork Reduction Notice] 

# AGENCY:

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT. 

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of BTS requiring U.S. large certificated air carriers to submit two true and complete copies of its annual audit that is made by an independent public accountant. If a carrier does not have an annual audit, the carrier must file a statement that no audit has been performed. Comments are requested concerning whether (1) The audit reports are needed by BTS and DOT; (2) BTS accurately estimated the reporting burden; (3) there are other ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; and (4) there are ways to minimize reporting burden, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 

# DATES:

Written comments should be submitted by December 8, 2008. 

# ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number RITA 2008-0002 by any of the following methods: 

*Federal eRulemaking Portal:*                         Go to                         *http://www.regulations.gov*. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.                               ( print page 58709)    

*Mail:*                         Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.                     

*Hand Delivery or Courier:*                         West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.                     

*Fax:*                         202-493-2251.                     

*Instructions:*                         Identify docket number, BTS 2008-0002, at the beginning of your comments, and send two copies. To receive confirmation that DOT received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may access all comments received by DOT at                         *http://www.regulations.gov*. All comments are posted electronically without charge or edits, including any personal information provided.                     

*Privacy Act:*                         Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the                         **Federal Register**                         published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit                         *http://DocketInfo.dot.gov*.                     

*Docket:*                         For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to                         *http://www.regulations.gov*                         or the street address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets.                     

## Electronic Access 

                    An electronic copy of this rule, a copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking, and copies of the comments may be downloaded at                     *http://www.regulations.gov*, by searching docket RITA 2008-0002.                 

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bernie Stankus, Office of Airline Information, RTS-42, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 1200 New Jersey Avenue Street, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001, (202) 366-4387. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

*OMB Approval No.*                     2138-0004.                 

*Title:*                     Submission of Audit Reports—Part 248.                 

*Form No.:*                     None.                 

*Type Of Review:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection.                 

*Respondents:*                     Large certificated air carriers.                 

*Number of Respondents:*                     77.                 

*Number of Responses:*                     77.                 

*Total Annual Burden:*                     20 hours.                 

*Needs and Uses:*                     BTS collects independent audited financial reports from U.S. certificated air carriers. Carriers not having an annual audit must file a statement that no such audit has been performed. In lieu of the audit report, BTS will accept the annual report submitted to the stockholders. The audited reports are needed by the Department of Transportation as (1) A means to monitor an air carrier's continuing fitness to operate, (2) reference material used by analysts in examining foreign route cases, (3) reference material used by analysts in examining proposed mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, (4) a means whereby BTS sends a copy of the report to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in fulfillment of a United States treaty obligation, and (5) corroboration of a carrier's Form 41 filings.                 

The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note), requires a statistical agency to clearly identify information it collects for non-statistical purposes. BTS hereby notifies the respondents and the public that BTS uses the information it collects under this OMB approval for non-statistical purposes including, but not limited to, publication of both Respondent's identity and its data, submission of the information to agencies outside BTS for review, analysis and possible use in regulatory and other administrative matters. 

Issued in Washington, DC on October 1, 2008. 

M. Clay Moritz, Jr., 

Acting Assistant Director, Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

[FR Doc. E8-23731 Filed 10-6-08; 8:45 am] 

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