DOT Requests Continuation of T-100 Airline Traffic Statistics Collection
Published Date: 1/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation wants to keep collecting important flight data from U.S. and foreign airlines to track air travel activity. They’re asking for public feedback by March 13, 2026, to make sure this data collection is still useful and necessary. This helps keep air travel info accurate without adding extra costs or delays for airlines.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Safety Monitoring and Inspections Support
The FAA uses the T-100 traffic, operational, and capacity data as safety indicators and to decide how to allocate inspection and surveillance resources. BTS data help the FAA monitor changes in air carrier operations and set priorities for safety inspections.
Ongoing T-100 Data Collection Burden
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics will continue collecting T-100 traffic/capacity reports from certificated, commuter, and foreign air carriers. The notice lists the burden: Schedule T-100 has 125 respondents, 1,500 annual responses, 6 hours per response (9,000 total annual hours); Schedule T-100(f) has 233 respondents, 2,796 responses, 2 hours per response (5,592 total annual hours).
Airport Improvement Funding Inputs
The FAA uses enplanement data from Schedule T-100/T-100(f) to distribute Airport Improvement Program (AIP) entitlement funds to eligible primary airports. Collecting Schedule T-100(f) data for small aircraft operations is intended to help the FAA distribute AIP funds more fairly to airports that receive significant service from foreign carriers operating small aircraft.
Airport Capacity (PANCAP) Analysis
T-100 data on aircraft mix are used to calculate practical annual capacity (PANCAP) at airports. If operations exceed PANCAP, the FAA says delays and the potential risk of accidents can increase, which can lead to plans for airport expansions or runway construction.
Support for Essential Air Service Reviews
The Department uses T-100 traffic and capacity statistics to reassess service levels at small domestic communities under the Essential Air Service program to ensure capacity matches demand. This reassessment helps determine if service levels remain adequate for local needs.
Publication and Non-Statistical Use Notice
BTS notifies respondents that it may publish respondent identities and data from T-100 submissions and may submit the information to agencies outside BTS for review, analysis, and possible regulatory or administrative use. The notice cites the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 in explaining this requirement.
Mail Rate Setting Uses (including Alaska)
The Department uses T-100 traffic and capacity data together with cost data to set international and intra-Alaska mail rates, updating rates every six months. Separate rates are set for mainline and bush Alaskan operations.
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