Document ID: FAA-2011-0361-0012
Agency: faa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Policy and Procedures Concerning Use of Airport Revenue: Petition of Clark County Department of Aviation to Use Weight-Based Air Service Incentive Program
Posted Date: 2012-04-09T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 68 (Monday, April 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21146-21150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8399]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0361]

Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue: 
Petition of the Clark County Department of Aviation to Use a Weight-
Based Air Service Incentive Program

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Partial granting of petition; Disposition of comments.

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SUMMARY: On April 14, 2011, the FAA issued a Notice in the Federal 
Register (76 FR 21,420, April 15, 2011) seeking comment on a petition 
submitted by Clark County Department of Aviation (CCDOA), owner and 
operator of Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (Airport). The 
petition requested a determination by the Federal Aviation 
Administration (``FAA'') that its proposed air service incentives 
program (``Incentives Program''), intended to induce increases in 
landed weight by air carriers at McCarran International Airport (the 
``Airport'' or ``LAS'') in Las Vegas, is consistent with Federal law 
and policies on the use of airport revenue and on airport rates and 
charges. In its petition, CCDOA proposed the FAA amend its 
interpretation of ``new air service'' to include ``increases in landed 
weight.''
    The FAA has interpreted these policies, and the underlying Federal 
statutes, to permit a temporary waiver of standard airport fees for 
carriers that provide new air service at an airport, as an incentive to 
begin or expand air service. In September 2010, the agency issued the 
Air Carrier Incentive Program Guidebook to provide specific guidance to 
airport operators on the use of air service incentive programs. That 
guidance restates FAA's previously issued opinions regarding what 
constitutes new service as characterized in the FAA's Policy and 
Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue (Revenue Use Policy) 
(64 FR 7,696 (Feb. 16, 1999)). Since the inception of the Revenue Use 
Policy in 1999, the FAA has defined new air service as: (a) Service to 
an airport destination not currently served, (b) nonstop service where 
no nonstop service is currently offered, (c) new entrant carrier, and/
or (d) increased frequency of flights to a specific destination. The 
FAA's interpretation has not permitted an airport operator to offer an 
incentive program that provides discounts based on increased aircraft 
weight or an increased number of seats on existing flights. CCDOA 
proposes an incentive program that would reward air carriers for an 
increase in landed weight. An increase in landed weight could result 
from an increase in the size of aircraft used, or ``upgauging,'' on 
existing flights, consolidation of existing flights, and/or added 
flights. CCDOA requests that the FAA amend existing guidance to make 
clear that its proposed incentive plan is consistent with Federal law 
and existing agency policies on the use of airport revenue and on 
airport rates and charges.
    This notice responds to the comments received and grants a portion 
of the petition as written.

ADDRESSES: Comments received on the petition [identified by Docket 
Number FAA-2011-0361] are available for public review in the Docket 
Operations, Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Also, you may review 
public dockets on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Willis, Manager, Airport 
Compliance Division, ACO-100, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-
3085; facsimile: (202) 267-5257.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. The Petition

    On February 14, 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
received a letter and a 13-page memorandum from counsel for CCDOA, the 
owner and operator of McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, 
Nevada, requesting a determination from the FAA that CCDOAs proposed 
air service incentive program does not conflict with Federal 
obligations
    In brief, CCDOA stated that the ``objective of the proposed 
Incentives Program is to provide an incentive at the margin to promote 
additions to scheduled air service seat capacity.'' The program 
provides, subject to certain terms and exceptions, that:

    * * * all monthly scheduled service landed weight, by airline, 
in excess of that operated in the same month of the prior year, 
would receive a credit of up to 100% of the landing fee (currently 
$2.26 per 1,000 pounds of landed weight) paid on the incremental 
landed weight.

    In addition to new flights, the credit would apply to existing 
flights for which an increase in aircraft size resulted in an increase 
in landed weight.
    In its petition, CCDOA makes the argument that upgauging should be 
an eligible incentive because it is considered new service. CCDOA 
reasons in its petition, ``Air travelers, as well as airports, 
reasonably regard an upgrade in the size of equipment used on a flight 
to constitute ``new service(s).'' CCDOA stated the Revenue Use Policy 
does not provide for nor does it exclude upgauging as a form of new air 
service. Finally, the CCDOA argued the proposed petition is not 
contradictory to statute, grant assurance obligations, and the FAA's 
Revenue Use Policy.
    The FAA published the Petition and sought comments on it prior to 
issuing a determination.

II. Discussion

A. Summary of Comments

    In addition to the CCDOA's comments, seven comments were received 
in the docket. Five comments generally supported the petition; two 
opposed it. The four airport operator commenters generally supported 
the petition or greater flexibility for operators to design air service 
incentive programs. Of the two airline commenters, ATA opposed the 
petition, while British Airways supported it. One citizen opposed the 
petition because it would not result in savings for passengers.
Comments in Support of the Petition
    In its petition, the CCDOA states it is:

    concerned with a temporary, but precipitous, drop in air service 
at (LAS) that has not rebounded as quickly as at other airports. 
Landed weight at LAS was down approximately 17% from Calendar Year 
2007 through the 12-month period ending in September 2010. While 
some individual carriers have expanded operations, these initiatives 
have fallen well short of restoring McCarran operations to previous 
levels. This drop-off in operations has meant that the Airport's 
airside and terminal facilities are not optimally utilized. The 
shortfall in traffic has also caused a significant drop in Airport 
revenue, particularly non-aeronautical

[[Page 21147]]

revenue. While load factors at LAS are high, the service cutbacks by 
the carriers are reflected in a drop in passengers. On average, the 
Airport generates approximately $9 per passenger in non-aeronautical 
revenue (rental cars, concessions, taxi fees, gaming, etc.). Because 
of the decline in passenger volume, annual revenue from these 
sources declined by approximately $20 million or 10% over a two year 
period from FY 2008 to FY 2010.

    Additionally, the CCDOA stated the proposed program is needed to:

    to help induce expansion in air carrier operations, and thus 
promote effective utilization of airside and terminal facilities and 
generate additional passengers that, in turn, increase non-airline 
revenues that can be applied to further reduce air carrier costs(.) 
(T)he Department has developed the Incentive Program to provide 
temporary relief from fees for increased air service to LAS. The 
Department views the downturn in operations as a short-term anomaly, 
and the proposed incentives will be discontinued when traffic is 
back on track.

    In addition to the Petitioner, two other airport operators 
generally supported the petition or greater flexibility to allow 
operators to design air service incentive programs. The Wayne County 
Airport Authority (WCAA) supported the petition in full. The WCAA 
agreed with Petitioner that the proposal meets the requirements of 
federal law and grant agreements, is not barred by law or other FAA 
policies, is not preempted by the Airline Deregulation Act (ADA), and 
is not discriminatory unless one carrier obtains the incentive and 
another is denied the incentive. WCAA also supported Petitioner's 
assertion that the FAA should interpret ``new service'' to include 
upgauge flights.
    The City of St. Louis, owner and operator of Lambert-St. Louis 
International Airport (STL) generally supported the CCDOA's Petition to 
use weight-based incentive programs. STL cites its own air carrier use 
agreement, which allows for mitigation of landing fees with increased 
levels of total landed weight at the airport. It is important to note 
that the STL rate structure differs from the Petition because is not an 
exception nor an incentive but the basic fee structure agreed to by all 
carriers. Also, the trigger for STL's program is total landed weight at 
the airport, not an individual carrier's landed weight. However, STL 
asserts the justification is the same as that in the Petition and 
supports a weight-based incentive permitted by federal law.
    The Airport Council International, North America (ACI-NA), 
supported the petition and urged FAA to increase ``flexibility in air 
service incentive programs.'' ACI-NA did not believe the proposal was 
discriminatory and did not believe it conflicted with Federal law.
    Although the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) did 
not specifically state it supported the petition, it did comment that 
airports should have maximum flexibility to structure incentive plans 
to attract and retain air service. The FAA views its comments as 
generally in favor of allowing changes to the FAA's definitions of the 
type of service that qualify.
    Finally, the foreign air carrier, British Airways expressed support 
for the petition stating that such incentives will encourage carriers 
to consider increased capacity and/or frequency.
Comments Not Supporting the Petition
    The Air Transport Association urged the FAA to deny the petition 
stating the petition lacked a policy rationale, since the incentive 
plan is designed only to increase concession revenue from passengers, 
not to obtain new air service. ATA's also argued that service with more 
seats is not currently defined as ``new service,'' and should not be so 
defined, because it is not in itself new entry into new markets. ATA 
discounts the CCDOA's references to FAA's prior determinations in 
Wichita and Port of Portland, and claims these documents no not address 
the question whether incremental increase in landed weight may be 
considered new service. ATA also states an incremental increase 
incentive would be discriminatory, because some carriers will not be 
able to upgauge.
    Both proponents and opponents weighed in on the proposal's 
compliance with the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. (Pub. L. 95-504)
    A member of the general public objected to the petition stating the 
benefits provided to carriers will not be passed on to passengers.

B. Summary of Relevant Law, Grant Assurance Obligations and Applicable 
Policy

    Airport sponsors that accept federal funds under the FAA's Airport 
Improvement Program [49 U.S.C. 47101, et seq., and 49 U.S.C. 40103(e)], 
agree to a set of standard grant assurances. These include an assurance 
that airport revenue will be used for the capital and operating costs 
of the airport or airport system, or certain other purposes. They also 
include assurances that fees charged air carriers will be reasonable, 
not unjustly discriminatory, and substantially comparable to fees 
charged other carriers making similar use of the airport. Additionally, 
they prohibit exclusive rights and encourage airports to create a fee 
and rental structure to be as self-sustaining as possible. In reviewing 
this petition, the FAA determined applicable assurances may include:

    Grant Assurance 22, Economic Nondiscrimination, implements the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47107(a)(1) through (6). The intent of the 
assurance and statute is to address both the reasonableness of 
airport access and the prohibition of adopting unjustly 
discriminatory conditions as a potential for limiting access as well 
as air carrier agreements.
    Grant Assurance 23, Exclusive Rights, implements the provisions 
of 49 U.S.C. 40103(e) and 47107(a) (4) and prohibits airport 
sponsors from granting exclusive rights to airport users.
    Grant Assurance 24, Fee and Rental Structure, implements Title 
49 U.S.C. 47107(a)(13) by addressing self-sustainability. The intent 
of the assurance and statute is for the airport operator to charge 
fees that are sufficient to cover as much of the airport's costs as 
is feasible while maintaining a fee and rental structure consistent 
with the sponsor's other federal obligations.
    Grant Assurance 25, Airport Revenue Use, implements Title 49 
U.S.C. 47107(b)(1) which requires that grant agreements for airport 
development grants include an assurance that ``the revenues 
generated by a public airport will be expended for the capital or 
operating costs of--(A) The airport; (B) the local airport system; 
or (C) other local facilities owned or operated by the airport owner 
or operator and directly and substantially related to the air 
transportation of passengers or property.''

    In addition to the grant assurance obligations, FAA reviewed the 
petition's compliance with FAA's Policy Regarding Airport Rates and 
Charges and the Revenue Use Policy.
1. Policy Regarding Airport Rates and Charges (Rates and Charges 
Policy)
    The Department of Transportation published the Rates and Charges 
Policy on June 21, 1996 (61 FR 31,994), which was amended on July 14, 
2008 (73 FR 40,430). The 2008 amendments were intended to provide 
greater flexibility to operators of congested airports to use landing 
fees to provide incentives to air carriers to use the airport at less 
congested times or to use alternate airports to meet regional air 
service needs. The policy as amended does not specifically refer to 
incentive programs or fee waivers, but provides in part:

3. Aeronautical fees may not unjustly discriminate against 
aeronautical users or user groups.

[[Page 21148]]

2. Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue (Revenue 
Use Policy)
    In the FAA Authorization Act of 1994, Congress expressly prohibited 
``the use of airport revenues for general economic development, 
marketing and promotional activities unrelated to airports or airport 
systems.'' [49 U.S.C. 47107(1)(2)(b)]. In accordance with Congressional 
direction, the Department of Transportation and the FAA published FAA's 
Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue. This 
policy stood up the air carrier incentive program. Specifically under 
Section V.A.2, Permitted uses of Airport Revenue, the policy states:

expenditures for the promotion of an airport, promotion of new air 
service and competition at the airport, and marketing of airport 
services are legitimate costs of an airport's operation. [64 FR 
7703]

    Section VI.B.12 of the policy, Prohibited Uses of Airport Revenue, 
specifically prohibits the direct subsidy of air carriers with airport 
revenues, but notes:

Prohibited direct subsidies do not include waivers of fees or 
discounted landing or other fees during a promotional period. Any 
fee waiver or discount must be offered to all users of the airport, 
and provided to all users that are willing to provide the same type 
and level of new services consistent with the promotional offering. 
[64 FR 7720]

    As stated in the Revenue Use Policy,

The FAA continues to believe that the costs of operating aircraft, 
or payments to air carriers to operate certain flights, are not 
reasonably considered an operating cost of an airport. In addition, 
payment of subsidy for air service can be viewed as general regional 
economic development and promotion, rather than airport promotion. 
[See, 64 FR 7709-7710]

    Finally, in its analysis of the petition, the FAA applied the 1978 
Airline Deregulation Act (ADA), specifically the preemption provision, 
[See, 49 U.S.C. 41713(b)] which states that State and local governments 
are prohibited from enacting or enforcing any provision having the 
force or effect of law related to a ``price, route, or service of an 
air carrier.''

C. Discussion/Analysis

    FAA's Revenue Use Policy specifically permits airport operators to 
offer certain limited term incentives, using airport revenue, to air 
carriers that opt to participate in incentive programs. Each incentive 
program is developed individually and independently by airport 
operators; however, the Revenue Use Policy specifically limits the 
goals of incentive programs to encourage (1) new service and/or (2) 
competition. Over the past decade, FAA has defined new service to 
include:
    (1) Service to a new airport;
    (2) Nonstop service where no nonstop service currently is offered;
    (3) New entrant carrier; and/or
    (4) Increased frequency of flight(s) to a specific destination.
    CCDOA petitioned the FAA to expand the definition of new service to 
include ``increases in landed weight.'' CCDOA's petition stated an 
increase in landed weight could result from an increase in the size of 
the aircraft a carrier uses--also known as ``upgauging''--on existing 
routes, consolidation of existing flights, and/or added flights. CCDOA 
requested the FAA amend its existing guidance to make clear that its 
proposed incentive plan is consistent with Federal law and existing 
agency policies.
    CCDOA did not request FAA amend the Revenue Use Policy; instead, 
CCDOA asked the FAA make a finding that would expand the agency's 
interpretation of new service. FAA has the legal authority to amend or 
modify interpretations of Policy. It is under this authority that the 
FAA considered CCDOA's petition.
1. Legal Issues
    In its request, the CCDOA argues increases in seats through 
increases in landed weight meets the definition of new air service as 
prescribed in the Revenue Use Policy. The Revenue Use Policy permits 
airports to offer incentives to airlines for establishing ``new 
service'' to (a) increase travel using the airport or (b) promote 
competition at the airport.
    In consideration of CCDOA's request, the FAA has reviewed the 
petition based on the goals of the air carrier incentive program as 
defined in the Revenue Use Policy, as well as in accordance with FAA's 
airport sponsor assurances and the Rates and Charges Policy.
    Previously, FAA opined that an addition of seats on existing 
flights was not new service. Moreover, since the publication of the 
Revenue Use Policy in 1999, FAA has been requested on several occasions 
to opine on its definition of ``new service.'' Over the past thirteen 
years, FAA has defined ``new service'' to include: (a) Service to an 
airport destination not currently served; (b) nonstop service where no 
nonstop service is currently offered; (c) new entrant carrier; and/or 
(d) increased frequency of flights to a specific destination, if 
incentivized by an airport would clearly set out to achieve the goals 
of the air carrier incentive program. However based on a thoughtful 
review, FAA agrees that an increase in seats by adding flights, which 
results in increases in landed weight, can be regarded as new service.
    The petition argues that an airport sponsor should be permitted to 
offer incentives to air carriers based on increases in landed weight. 
The FAA separated the petition into two arguments based on comments 
received and FAA's position that adding seats through adding flights is 
considered new service. First, the FAA analyzed CCDOA's position that 
an air carrier should be eligible for incentives solely based on 
increases in landed weight. Second, FAA analyzed whether increases in 
passenger yields as a result of increases in landed weight, whether 
through adding more flights or upgauging existing flights, should be 
eligible for incentives.
    In analyzing the first argument, FAA determined, that air carriers 
could increase landed weight, yet reduce the number of flights and the 
number of seats, which amounts jointly and individually to a reduction 
in service. As such, this argument could actually undermine one of the 
two goals of the incentive program allotted for under the current 
Policy (new service or competition).
    FAA then analyzed the second argument, limiting the scope of review 
to the premise that upgauging individual flights may provide more 
passenger seats to a designated market or to an airline's overall 
operation, thus potentially increasing use of an airport. Under certain 
conditions, the FAA has determined such a program may meet the goals of 
new service and/or competition in conformance with an airport sponsor's 
federal obligations and existing policy. Adding more passenger seats to 
an air carrier's existing flight schedule through upgauging may provide 
more opportunity for the flying public, which the FAA agrees may 
increase travel using the airport. However, if an airline decides to 
consolidate a schedule to a given market while adding passenger seats 
through upgauging, the airline would be reducing service offered to the 
flying public or limiting air travel options. This is contrary to the 
goals of the program, which is to encourage new service and increase 
competition. An existing, and unchallenged definition of new service, 
is adding new flights to existing routes. Allowing flights to be 
consolidated on existing routes may result in more seats but fewer 
travel options for the traveling public. The FAA cannot view actions 
that actually reduce options to be beneficial to the

[[Page 21149]]

traveling public. Therefore, the FAA has determined that such a program 
may conflict with program goals specifically identified in existing 
Policy as well as the airport sponsor's grant obligations even 
conducted without any controls.
    Thus FAA reviewed the petition in light of comments received and 
FAA's existing position, to determine if upgauging with certain 
conditions would be a viable option for expanding the definition of new 
service, as the CCDOA requested in its petition. As a stand-alone 
incentive, upgauging could possibly be viewed as unjustly 
discriminatory or conferring an exclusive right because some airlines 
may not have the ability to upgauge based on the fleet of aircraft used 
to operate. It is important to understand it is not the role of FAA to 
accommodate the manner in which an airline or any aviation-based 
service provider structures its enterprise. However, when using airport 
revenue to incentivize new service, it is the FAA's role to ensure 
sponsors do so in a manner consistent with their federal obligations, 
including the Revenue Use Policy. After FAA's extensive review, with 
consideration of the incentive program's goals, as well as an airport's 
federal obligation to be not unjustly discriminatory and not to confer 
an exclusive right, the FAA has determined the definition of new 
service can be expanded to include upgauging with certain conditions 
that ensure compliance goals.
    In permitting use of airport revenue for incentive programs, the 
Revenue Use Policy specifically ties the use to the goal of increasing 
travel or promoting competition at the airport. Thus, when FAA analyzed 
the argument that upgauging may allow sponsors more options to increase 
travel and therefore, use of the airport, the FAA recognized the 
logical conclusion that more seats on larger aircraft would be a 
potential means to that goal. It is critical to note that the FAA 
recognizes that the existence of more seats on an existing route does 
not necessarily result in more passengers. However, the agency has 
determined that more seats on larger aircraft serving existing routes 
may indeed allow sponsors to create incentive programs with more 
options, as noted by many commenters to the petition, in pursuit of the 
program's goals.
    Balancing the sponsors' goal of increasing travel in accordance 
with its federal obligations and the Revenue Use Policy, with the 
airline's business decisions, the FAA has determined that an incentive 
program may include incentives for upgauging as an expanded definition 
of ``new service'' with certain conditions. The FAA has determined that 
incentive programs cannot target upgauging as the specific goal of the 
program; instead, the goal must be expanded or added new service. In 
the petition before the agency, the measurable goal would be to 
increase use of the airport by increasing total landed-weight, through 
upgauging on currently served routes and/or additional flights. Such a 
program would offer all airlines, regardless of aircraft fleet, the 
ability to participate and thus meet the airport's obligations under 
Grant Assurances 22 and 23. Any decreases in service on incentive 
routes is not eligible for participation in the incentive program.
    FAA's granting of the CCDOA Petition in part represents a 
modification to the agency's interpretation of the definition of ``new 
service,'' which is not defined in the Revenue Use Policy.
2. Implementation
    In granting the CCDOA Petition in part, FAA has determined an 
incentive program may implement the goal of encouraging new service by 
offering incentives to air carriers opting to either upgauge existing 
flights to aircraft offering more seats and/or adding a new flight. 
When an incentive program allows air carriers the option to upgauge 
aircraft on existing flights to increase seats and/or adding an 
additional flight, the FAA has determined such a program may meet the 
definition of new air service as prescribed in the Revenue Use Policy 
with certain conditions. Previously, the FAA opined that an addition of 
seats on an existing flight was not new service. This is a change in 
interpretation on a definition not defined in the Policy.
    An air carrier incentive program that includes the following 
conditions may achieve the goals of the air carrier incentive program 
as defined in the Revenue Use Policy, and in accordance with statute 
cited herein:
    [ssquf] A condition permitting an airport sponsor to use airport 
revenue as part of a comprehensive incentive program to encourage air 
carriers to increases seats on existing flights though upgauging must 
preclude upgauging from being the only component of the incentive 
program. In other words, upgauging cannot be the stand alone piece of 
the incentive program. The program must also include offering similarly 
formulated incentives for adding new flights.
    [ssquf] A condition permitting an airport sponsor to use airport 
revenue as part of a comprehensive incentive program includes 
prohibiting air carriers participating in the incentive program from 
cancelling existing service on the route(s) for which the airport 
sponsors is offering incentives. To be eligible for incentives to 
upgauge, an air carrier must demonstrate an increase in service above 
and beyond the baseline set by the market(s) targeted by the incentive 
program.
    [ssquf] A condition prohibiting air carriers from receiving 
incentives for ``new'' flights to other markets targeted under the 
incentive program when it reduces service in other markets targeted. 
The goal is for airport sponsor's to increase use of the airport, thus 
incentivizing carriers for swapping service to extend incentives is not 
congruent with the airport sponsor's goal.
    In its review, FAA agrees air carrier incentive programs should 
include, as a matter of compliance, a provision to ensure air service 
is not lost nor substituted. In response to the CCDOA's petition, the 
FAA agrees that an airport sponsor may exercise oversight and judgment 
to ensure its air carrier incentive program is administered in a 
nondiscriminatory manner. Any allegations of unjustly discriminatory 
treatment or other assurance violations remain within the jurisdiction 
of the FAA. The oversight described by the CCDOA in its petition would 
allow the airport operator the ability to set parameters for carriers 
for certain landed weight of different aircraft type. The FAA believes 
the manner in which CCDOA plans to implement its oversight on landed 
weight will achieve the goal of nondiscriminatory application. While 
the FAA is comfortable with CCDOA's stated intent, the FAA is not 
opining on the actual implementation of the plan. FAA must remain 
objective should a complaint be filed alleging inconsistences with 
CCDOA's plan and federal obligations.
3. Unintended Consequences
    The air carrier incentive program was not created to test the upper 
limit of what a market will yield with respect to the number of 
passenger seats demanded. As such, an incentive program that allows for 
upgauging of aircraft must be constructed in a manner that does not 
allow for a perpetual upgauging of aircraft. Once the incentive period 
expires, upgauging aircraft as a means of offering new service cannot 
again be incentivized. This determination is consistent with the 
Revenue Use Policy and Grant Assurance 24 as it relates to the addition 
of flights to a markets schedule as well.

    While a sponsor's air carrier incentive program may be ongoing 
for several years, each air carrier's incentive period should be

[[Page 21150]]

limited to no more than two years except under special circumstances 
(e.g., new entrants).

    The air carrier incentive program was never intended to be a 
maximum sustainable market growth-incentive program where airlines 
would be incentivized to test the limits of a markets demands. Rather 
the program was offered to airports to encourage airlines to test new 
markets and offer passengers more travel options and in turn promote 
more travel using the airport. The limits on allowable incentive 
periods have been vetted by FAA and deemed reasonable timeframes for 
airlines to assess the demand for a ``new service'' and evaluate the 
sustainability to continue that service without incentives in 
accordance with existing policy, grant assurance obligations, and 
statute.

III. Conclusion

    Incentive programs must walk the fine line between allowing 
sponsors the ability to enhance the viability of new service through 
temporary incentives and simply buying increased use of the airport. 
The air carrier incentive program, as currently constituted, ensures 
properly structured programs will meet the goals for which an air 
carrier incentive program is allowed. FAA has viewed the CCDOAs 
petition in order to ensure its proposal will meet the same goals. As 
such, FAA agrees that, with certain conditions in place, incentive 
programs may include opportunities for air carriers to upgauge existing 
service. The conditions must require flight schedules are not 
contracted while allowing airlines to receive proportional credit for 
upgauging existing flight(s) to targeted market(s) within the schedule 
to provide more capacity.
    While FAA agrees to expand its interpretation of ``new service'' to 
include upgauging with stated parameters as an accepted form of new 
service, the onus to create an incentive program that is not unjustly 
discriminatory must be borne by the sponsor responsible for the 
airport-specific air carrier incentive program. The conditions included 
within this notice are guidance.
    All existing guidance not addressed herein remains applicable. FAA 
reminds airport sponsors: Incentives must not be offered in an unjustly 
discriminatory manner; incentives must be applied similarly to 
similarly situated carriers participating in incentive programs; new 
entrants are deemed similarly situated to incumbents after one year; 
and additional incentives for incumbents are limited to one year in 
accordance with past guidance.

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 3, 2012.
Randall Fiertz,
Director, Airport Compliance and Management Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2012-8399 Filed 4-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P