Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Report of Financial and Operating Statistics for Small Aircraft Operators
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics wants to know if collecting details about small airlines' money and operations is still helpful. They need people to tell them by February 18 if these reports are useful or not.
Summary AI
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is seeking comments from the public and industry about the usefulness of collecting financial and operational statistics from small airline operators. These airlines, which operate aircraft with 60 seats or less, must submit specific reports quarterly. The data helps the Department of Transportation set mail rates and ensure airlines provide essential services safely and reliably. The comment period ends on February 18, 2025.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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 collecting financial, traffic and operating statistics from small certificated and commuter air carriers. Small, certificated air carriers (operate aircraft with 60 seats or less or with 18,000 pounds of payload capacity or less) currently must file the two quarterly schedules: F-1 "Report of Financial Data"; F-2 "Report of Aircraft Operating Expenses and Related Statistics"; and Commuter air carriers must file the Schedule F-1 "Report of Financial Data". Commenters should address whether BTS accurately estimated the reporting burden and if there are other ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
In a recent notice from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the agency seeks public input regarding its ongoing practice of collecting financial and operational statistics from small airline operators. These operators, defined as those using planes with a seating capacity of 60 or fewer, are required to submit quarterly financial and operational details to assist with various administrative and regulatory purposes. The deadline for public comments is set for February 18, 2025.
Significance of the Notice
The document emphasizes the importance of collecting this data to aid the Department of Transportation (DOT) in several areas, such as setting mail rates and evaluating the fitness of air carriers to provide essential services. This information ostensibly helps ensure that airlines operate safely, reliably, and are economically viable.
Concerns and Issues
However, several concerns arise from the document:
Complex Language and Jargon: The heavy use of technical jargon and bureaucratic terminology might pose a challenge to the general public who are not familiar with industry-specific language. This could be a barrier for individuals wishing to provide feedback.
Justification and Usefulness: The document falls short of clearly demonstrating the necessity and benefits of this data collection. Without specific examples of past effectiveness, stakeholders might question the justification for the continued collection of this data.
Burden on Respondents: The document notes significant reporting burdens—976 hours annually for Schedule F1 and 1,344 hours for Schedule F2. This may be particularly challenging for smaller airlines, raising questions about whether this burden is justified.
Complexity of Participation: The process for submitting comments is detailed but may be perceived as complex. This complexity might deter public engagement.
Lack of Alternative Methods: There's no mention of exploring other methods of collecting this information that could reduce the burden on respondents, which might be viewed as a missed opportunity to enhance efficiency.
Potential Impact
General Public
For the general public, the notice represents an opportunity to voice opinions on how governmental agencies gather and use statistical data from the airline industry. However, the aforementioned barriers might limit public participation.
Industry Stakeholders
For small airlines, this document represents an administrative requirement that could have significant operational impacts. While the data potentially aids in setting fair market rates and keeping service obligations in check, the time-intensive nature of collecting and reporting this data could prove burdensome.
The notice indirectly highlights the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in how governmental agencies use collected data for public policy and regulatory affairs.
In conclusion, while the intent behind the BTS’s data collection is arguably sound—ensuring essential services by maintaining air carriers’ fitness and setting equitable service rates—the execution and communication in this notice leaves room for improvement in clarity and accessibility. Balancing the regulatory requirements with the operational realities of small carriers is crucial to ensure the continued health and competitiveness of the aviation sector.
Issues
• The document contains technical jargon and bureaucratic language, which might be difficult for the general public to understand.
• The benefits and necessity of continuing the information collection are not clearly justified, which could raise concerns about its usefulness and potential wastefulness.
• There is a lack of specific examples of how the collected data have been used effectively in the past, which might raise questions about the value and impact of the data collection.
• The process for submitting comments is detailed, yet somewhat complex, which might deter public participation.
• The document assumes familiarity with the forms and schedules, such as 'Schedule F-1' and 'Schedule F-2', without providing sufficient explanation for those unfamiliar with these terms.
• There is no mention of efforts to minimize the reporting burden or explore alternate methods of data collection that could enhance efficiency.
• The number of total burden hours for data collection is quite high (976 hours for Schedule F1 and 1,344 hours for Schedule F2), which might be considered burdensome for smaller carriers without explaining how this burden is justified by the benefits.