§41717 Interim Application of Slot Rules at Chicago O’hare International Airport

Summary

Starting May 1, 2000, the Secretary of Transportation must let certain airlines use O’Hare without following the usual slot rules. Airlines flying nonstop with planes that seat fewer than 71 between O’Hare and small hub or nonhub airports can get exemptions if they did not fly that route the week of November 1, 1999, if they will add more flights than they had that week, or if they are replacing turboprops they used that week with regional jets. Only Stage 3 aircraft qualify. The Secretary must also give 30 exemptions to new-entrant or limited incumbent carriers who apply, and must decide on those requests within 45 days. Also, starting July 1, 2001, the slot rules do not apply to flights at O’Hare that operate before 2:45 PM or after 8:14 PM. If a turboprop slot is replaced by a regional jet under an exemption, that old slot generally cannot be used, sold, leased, or transferred after the exemption is granted, though a carrier that would otherwise lose access to two slots may use one of them while the replacement service runs. If the carrier stops the replacement service, the Secretary will take back the extra slot; if they stop using a regional jet, the extra slot is withdrawn but the exemption can remain. From May 1, 2000, the slot rules also do not apply to foreign flights, but the Secretary can limit access for foreign carriers from countries that do not give reciprocal access. Airlines that were already serving small or smaller airports under an exemption or a slot conditioned on that airport may not end that service for one year after the rules stop applying unless they gave notice before October 1, 1999, or filed under section 41719 after September 30, 1999 and the Secretary finds they had excessive losses.