Source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2018-title49/html/USCODE-2018-title49-subtitleVII-partB-chap471-subchapI-sec47129.htm
Timestamp: 2020-01-29 02:19:51
Document Index: 225971625

Matched Legal Cases: ['§113', '§149', '§5', '§148', '§148', '§5']

Sec. 47129 - Resolution of disputes concerning airport fees
(a) Authority To Request Secretary's Determination.—
(1) In general.—The Secretary of Transportation shall issue a determination as to whether a fee imposed upon one or more air carriers or foreign air carriers (as those terms are defined in section 40102) by the owner or operator of an airport is reasonable if—
(2) Calculation of fee.—A fee subject to a determination of reasonableness under this section may be calculated pursuant to either a compensatory or residual fee methodology or any combination thereof.
(3) Secretary not to set fee.—In determining whether a fee is reasonable under this section, the Secretary may only determine whether the fee is reasonable or unreasonable and shall not set the level of the fee.
(4) Fees imposed by privately-owned airports.—In evaluating the reasonableness of a fee imposed by an airport receiving an exemption under section 47134 of this title, the Secretary shall consider whether the airport has complied with section 47134(c)(4).
(b) Procedural Regulations.—Not later than 90 days after August 23, 1994, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register final regulations, policy statements, or guidelines establishing—
(c) Decisions By Secretary.—The final regulations, policy statements, or guidelines required in subsection (b) shall provide the following:
(d) Payment Under Protest; Guarantee of Air Carrier and Foreign Air Carrier Access.—
(1) Payment under protest.—
(A) In general.—Any fee increase or newly established fee which is the subject of a complaint that is not dismissed by the Secretary shall be paid by the complainant air carrier or foreign air carrier to the airport under protest.
(B) Referral or credit.—Any amounts paid under this subsection by a complainant air carrier or foreign air carrier to the airport under protest shall be subject to refund or credit to the air carrier or foreign air carrier in accordance with directions in the final order of the Secretary within 30 days of such order.
(C) Assurance of timely repayment.—In order to assure the timely repayment, with interest, of amounts in dispute determined not to be reasonable by the Secretary, the airport shall obtain a letter of credit, or surety bond, or other suitable credit facility, equal to the amount in dispute that is due during the 120-day period established by this section, plus interest, unless the airport and the complainant air carrier or foreign air carrier agree otherwise.
(D) Deadline.—The letter of credit, or surety bond, or other suitable credit facility shall be provided to the Secretary within 20 days of the filing of the complaint and shall remain in effect for 30 days after the earlier of 120 days or the issuance of a timely final order by the Secretary determining whether such fee is reasonable.
(2) Guarantee of air carrier and foreign air carrier access.—Contingent upon an air carrier's or foreign air carrier's compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) and pending the issuance of a final order by the Secretary determining the reasonableness of a fee that is the subject of a complaint filed under subsection (a)(1)(B), an owner or operator of an airport may not deny an air carrier or foreign air carrier currently providing air service at the airport reasonable access to airport facilities or service, or otherwise interfere with an air carrier's or foreign air carrier's prices, routes, or services, as a means of enforcing the fee.
(e) Applicability.—This section does not apply to—
(f) Effect On Existing Agreements.—Nothing in this section shall adversely affect—
(g) Definition.—In this section, the term "fee" means any rate, rental charge, landing fee, or other service charge for the use of airport facilities.
(Added Pub. L. 103–305, title I, §113(a)(2), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1577; amended Pub. L. 104–264, title I, §149(d), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3227; Pub. L. 104–287, §5(85), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3397; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, §148(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 31.)
2012—Pub. L. 112–95, §148(a)(1), substituted "Resolution of disputes concerning airport fees" for "Resolution of airport-air carrier disputes concerning airport fees" in section catchline.
1996—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104–287, §5(85)(A), substituted "of this title" for "of this subtitle" in introductory provisions.