Opinion ID: 394180
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: 5 FAA § 404(b), 49 U.S.C. § 1374(b), 5 prohibits airlines from creating tariffs that cause unjust discrimination. FAA § 1002, 49 U.S.C. § 1482, concerns the enforcement of the various provisions of the Federal Aviation Act. Under that section, the CAB is required to investigate a complaint which provides reasonable grounds to believe that the Act has been violated. If the complaint does not state facts which warrant an investigation, the complaint may be dismissed without a hearing. 6 In cases of rate discrimination, the complaining party bears the burden of showing that the particular rates are discriminatory. 6 If the complainant fails to meet this burden, the CAB may properly dismiss the complaint without a hearing. 7 Even if the complainant meets this burden, the CAB may dismiss the complaint without a hearing if the CAB affirmatively shows that the tariff is justified for public policy reasons or in terms of established CAB precedent or policy and the relevant facts. 8 7 Because no hearing was held, the standard of review is whether the CAB abused its discretion in failing to order an investigation and dismissing the complaint without a hearing. 9 8 The complainants contend that the courier baggage tariff unjustly discriminates in two respects. First, they contend that the tariff violates the rule of equality because couriers are charged a higher rate for the same services rendered other passengers. Second, they argue that the tariff unjustly discriminates because it cannot be fairly administered. For the reasons discussed below, we reject each of these arguments.