Air Consumer

This document is related to the submission of emergency contigency plans by Aircraft Carriers and Airport Operators.

This notice is to provide guidance to colleges and other organizations wishing to arrange charter flights, including flights to football bowl games, NCAA basketball playoff games, or other special events. The notice is also intended to provide information regarding the economic licensing and operational certification of air carriers by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

It is important that colleges and other entities are fully aware of this information since they often charter aircraft to travel to events and we wish to avoid instances of organizations (1) contracting with entities that hold no DOT economic authority; (2) unknowingly chartering aircraft from entities that are not subject to the most stringent safety standards and oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a DOT operating administration; or (3) reselling seats on a charter flight without their first having obtained proper authority to do so.
 

The purpose of this notice is to provide guidance regarding the lawful role of air charter brokers (i.e., entities, including persons, that link prospective charter customers with direct air carriers) in the provision of air transportation.1 This guidance will be used by the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office) in its compliance and enforcement activities associated with 49 U.S.C. §§ 41101 and 41301, which establish the certificate and permit requirements for U.S. and foreign air carriers, respectively, and 49 U.S.C. § 41712, which prohibits unfair and deceptive practices.

By this order, we are extending for an additional 30 days the emergency exemption authority from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. § 41101 granted to carriers with authority under 14 CFR Part 125 in connection with Haiti relief efforts. That exemption, first granted by Order 2010-1-10, issued January 14, 2010, will expire on February 14, 2010. This 30-day extension of that emergency exemption will allow those carriers to continue to provide assistance in the carriage of freight and people affected by the January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake, and the transport into the affected areas of relief personnel and supplies.

By this order, we extend for an additional 30 days the emergency exemption from 49 U.S.C. § 41101 and applicable Department regulations to the extent necessary to permit, on behalf of U.S. Government charterers engaged in Haiti earthquake relief operations, indirect air transportation by GSA-approved air charter brokers, including those currently approved under General Services Administration (GSA) Special Item Number (SIN) 599-5, Air Charter Services-Brokers (hereinafter the “Broker Schedule”).1 That exemption, first granted by Order 2010-1-9 (Jan. 14, 2010) will expire on February 14, 2010.

By this order, we grant carriers with authority under 14 CFR Part 125 emergency exemption authority from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. § 41101. This exemption will allow those carriers to provide assistance in the carriage of freight and people affected by the January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake, and the transport into the affected areas of relief personnel and supplies

By this order, we grant an exemption from 49 U.S.C. § 41101 and applicable Department regulations to the extent necessary to permit, on behalf of U.S. Government charterers engaged in Haiti earthquake rescue and relief operations, indirect air transportation by GSA-approved entities, including those currently approved under General Services Administration (GSA) Special Item Number (SIN) 599-5, Air Charter Services-Brokers (hereinafter the “Broker Schedule”).