Government Asks: Should We Keep Making Small Airlines File Reports?
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation wants to keep collecting financial and operating info from small airlines that fly planes with 60 seats or less. They’re asking for your thoughts on how much work this reporting takes and how to make it better. If you have ideas, send them in by February 18, 2025—this helps keep the rules fair and clear without costing extra money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Financial Data Feed Carrier Fitness Reviews
DOT compares a carrier's projected operating costs and financial data against Form 298‑C data for similar carriers as part of fitness determinations and ongoing monitoring under 49 U.S.C. 41738. These reviews help determine whether a carrier is fit, willing, and able to provide passenger service.
Small Carriers Must Keep Filing F‑1 and F‑2
Small certificated air carriers that operate aircraft with 60 seats or less or with 18,000 pounds of payload capacity or less must continue to file BTS Schedule F‑1 (and Schedule F‑2 for small certificated carriers) using BTS Form 298‑C under OMB approval #2138‑0009. Commuter air carriers must file Schedule F‑1.
Quantified Reporting Time Burden
BTS estimates Schedule F‑1 involves 61 respondents, 244 annual responses, 4 hours per response (976 total annual hours) and Schedule F‑2 involves 28 respondents, 112 annual responses, 12 hours per response (1,344 total annual hours). These are the official burden-hour estimates for the collections.
Data Drives Intra‑Alaska Bush Mail Rates
DOT uses the cost and operating data from Form 298‑C—especially fuel, terminal, and line haul expenses—to set and update Intra‑Alaska Bush mail rates and revises rates based on percentage changes in unit costs. BTS says this updating helps carriers receive compensation that more closely matches their costs.
Data Used in Essential Air Service Selection
DOT uses financial and operating statistics when selecting carriers for Essential Air Service; selection criteria include historic presence, reliability, financial stability, and cost structure. The Form 298‑C data feed into those assessments.
BTS May Publish and Share Carrier Data
BTS notifies respondents that information collected under OMB #2138‑0009 may be published with the respondent's identity and shared with agencies outside BTS for review, analysis, and possible use in regulatory or administrative matters. This use is for non‑statistical purposes under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act notice.
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