DOT Renews Boring Paperwork for Airline Name Changes
Published Date: 5/4/2026
Notice
Summary
Air carriers, including foreign and commuter airlines, must keep registering or updating their official names with the Department of Transportation. This notice renews the paperwork rules that help keep airline names clear and official, with no new costs or big changes. Comments on this process are open until June 3, 2026, so airlines and the public can share their thoughts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Airline Name Registration Required
Holders of certificated, foreign, or commuter air carrier authority must register any name or trade name they use with the Department of Transportation before holding out to the public. They also must notify other certificated, foreign, and commuter air carriers that have registered the same or similar names of the intended registration, under 14 CFR part 215.
Paperwork Burden Estimate
The Department expects about 12 requests per year to use or change an air carrier name, with each response taking about 5 hours to complete or amend. DOT estimates a total annual paperwork burden of 60 hours for respondents.
Renewal of Existing Paperwork Rule
The Department is renewing the previously approved information collection (OMB Control Number 2106-0043) for use and change of air carrier names and indicates there are no new costs or major changes. The notice requests comments on the renewal and on burden estimates, with comments due by June 3, 2026.
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Key Dates
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