[Federal Register: November 2, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 211)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66253-66256]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02no05-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 93
[Docket No. FAA-2005-19411; SFAR No. 105]
RIN 2120-AI47
Reservation System for Unscheduled Arrivals at Chicago's O'Hare
International Airport
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; extension of expiration date.
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SUMMARY: This action extends the expiration date of Special Federal
Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 105 through March 31, 2006. This action
is necessary to maintain the reservation system established for
unscheduled arrivals at O'Hare International Airport while the FAA
completes rulemaking associated with scheduled arrivals at the airport.
DATES: This final rule is effective on October 28, 2005, and SFAR No.
105 published at 70 FR 39610 (July 8, 2005), as amended in this rule,
shall remain in effect until March 31, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerry Shakley, System Operations
Services, Air Traffic Organization; Telephone: (202) 267-9424; E-mail:
gerry.shakley@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
You can get an electronic copy using the Internet by:
(1) Searching the Department of Transportation's electronic Docket
Management System (DMS) Web page (http://dms.dot.gov/search); (2) Visiting the FAA's Regulations and Policies Web page at http://
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/; or
(3) Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html
.
You can also get a copy by sending a request to the Federal
Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. Make
sure to identify the amendment number or docket number of this
rulemaking.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of
1996 requires FAA to comply with small entity requests for information
or advice about compliance with statutes and regulations within its
jurisdiction. Therefore, any small entity that has a question regarding
this document may contact their local FAA official, or the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. You can find out
[[Page 66254]]
more about SBREFA on the Internet at our site, http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/sbre_act/
.
Authority for This Rulemaking
The U.S. Government has exclusive sovereignty over the airspace of
the United States.\1\ Under this broad authority, Congress has
delegated to the Administrator extensive and plenary authority to
ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of the Nation's
navigable airspace. In this regard, the Administrator is required to
assign by regulation or order use of the airspace to ensure its
efficient use.\2\
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\1\ 49 U.S.C. 40103(a).
\2\ 49 U.S.C. 40103(b)(1).
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The FAA's broad statutory authority to manage the efficient use of
airspace encompasses management of the nationwide system of air
commerce and air traffic control. To ensure the efficient use of the
airspace, the FAA must take steps to prevent congestion at an airport
from disrupting or adversely affecting the air traffic system for which
the FAA is responsible. Inordinate delays of the sort experienced at
O'Hare in late 2003 and much of 2004 can have a crippling effect on
other parts of the system, causing significant losses in time and money
for individuals and businesses, as well as the air carriers and other
operators at O'Hare and beyond. This rule facilitates the Agency's
exercise of its authority to manage the safe and efficient use of the
navigable airspace.
Background
Since November 2003, O'Hare has suffered an inordinate and
unacceptable number of delays as the result of over-scheduling at the
airport, which was also having a crippling effect on the entire
National Airspace System. In August 2004, the FAA intervened by
ordering a limit on the number of scheduled arrivals at the airport
during the peak operating hours of 7 a.m. through 8:59 p.m., Central
Time, effective November 1, 2004, so that the system could return to a
reasonably balanced level of operations and delay.\3\
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\3\ Operating Limitations at Chicago International Airport.
Docket No. FAA-2004-16944.
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On October 20, 2004, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) seeking public comments on a proposed reservation system for
unscheduled arrivals at O'Hare (69 FR 61708). While this rulemaking was
pending, we implemented a corresponding voluntary reservation program
for unscheduled arrivals using the general procedures followed during
Special Traffic Management Programs and the High Density Rule,
effective November 1, 2004.
On July 8, 2005, the FAA published SFAR No. 105, ``Reservation
System for Unscheduled Arrivals at Chicago's O'Hare International
Airport'' (70 FR 39610). As we stated in SFAR No. 105, the benefits
achieved by the FAA's August 18 Order would dissipate if certain
operations at the airport remained capped but other operations were
permitted to grow. SFAR No. 105 maintained the historical level of
unscheduled operations at O'Hare and supported other agency actions at
O'Hare that address congestion and delay until additional capacity
exists at the airport.
In SFAR No. 105, we discussed that it may be necessary to extend
this rule limiting unscheduled arrivals at O'Hare to coincide with a
final rule addressing scheduled arrivals, if adopted, or with an
extension of the August 2004 Order. The NPRM addressing scheduled
arrivals at O'Hare was published on March 25, 2005 (70 FR 15520), and
the agency is currently evaluating the comments. The FAA recently
extended the August 2004 Order through April 1, 2006.\4\ We conclude
that it is necessary to extend SFAR 105 through March 31, 2006,\5\ to
maintain the current operating environment at the airport.
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\4\ See 70 FR 59798; October 13, 2005.
\5\ The limits on unscheduled arrivals do not apply on
Saturdays.
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The 5-month extension is necessary to conclude any rulemaking
addressing limits on scheduled arrivals and consider the effect that
rulemaking will have, if any, on SFAR No. 105. We are not seeking
public comment on this 5-month extension, as the extension is but for a
limited duration and provides an interim measure pending adoption of a
comprehensive regulation that addresses scheduled operations at the
airport. If this SFAR needs to be extended beyond the date adopted
here, the Agency will proceed with notice and comment procedures.
Therefore, we find that notice and comment procedures under 5
U.S.C. section 553(b) are impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. We further find that good cause exists to make this rule
effective in less than 30 days.
International Compatibility
In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on
International Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to comply with
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and
Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. The FAA
determined that there are no ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices
that correspond to these proposed regulations.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Information collection requirements associated with this final rule
have been approved previously by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3507(d)), and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0694.
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507(d)), the FAA submitted a copy of the new information collection
requirements(s) in this final rule to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for its review. OMB approved the collection of this
information and assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0694.
This final rule establishes a reservation system to limit the
number of unscheduled aircraft arrivals at Chicago's O'Hare
International Airport (O'Hare) during the peak hours of 7 a.m. through
8:59 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Friday, and 12 p.m. through
8:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday. We received no comments from the
public that specifically discussed information collection.
An agency may not collect or sponsor the collection of information,
nor may it impose an information collection requirement, unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
Changes to Federal regulations must undergo several economic
analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 directs that each Federal agency
shall propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination
that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs. Second,
the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 requires agencies to analyze the
economic impact of regulatory changes on small entities. Third, the
Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 2531-2533) prohibits agencies from
setting standards that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign
commerce of the United States. In developing U.S. standards, this Trade
Act requires agencies to consider international standards and, where
appropriate, to be the basis of U.S. standards. Fourth, the Unfunded
Mandate Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies to prepare
a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and other effects of
proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate likely to result
in the
[[Page 66255]]
expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate,
or by the private sector, of $100 million or more annually (adjusted
for inflation). This portion of the preamble summarizes the FAA's
analysis of the economic impact of this SFAR extension.
The Department of Transportation Order DOT 2100.5 prescribes
policies and procedures for simplification, analysis, and review of
regulations. If the expected cost impact is so minimal that a rule does
not warrant a full evaluation, this order permits a statement to that
effect. The basis for the minimal impact must be included in the
preamble, if a full regulatory evaluation of the cost and benefits is
not prepared. Such a determination has been made for this rule. The
reasoning for that determination follows:
In the preamble of SFAR No. 105, the FAA stated that we might
consider extending SFAR 105 for a time period that would coincide with
a final rule limiting scheduled operations. Because the Agency has not
adopted a final rule limiting scheduled operations, the FAA is
extending this SFAR through March 31, 2006. In the final economic
assessment of SFAR No. 105, the FAA found that the rule provided system
delay benefits at a minimal cost. The FAA finds that this extension is
cost beneficial and will continue to provide system delay benefits at
minimal cost.
Regulatory Flexibility Determination
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) establishes ``as a
principle of regulatory issuance that agencies shall endeavor,
consistent with the objective of the rule and of applicable statutes,
to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale of the
business, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject to
regulation.'' To achieve that principle, the RFA requires agencies
consider flexible regulatory proposals, to explain the rationale for
their actions, and to solicit comments. The RFA covers a wide-range of
small entities, including small businesses, not-for-profit
organizations and small governmental jurisdictions.
Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a proposed or
final rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. If the agency determines that it will, the
agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in
the RFA.
However, if an agency determines that a proposed or final rule is
not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities, section 605(b) of the RFA provides that the
head of the agency may so certify and a regulatory flexibility analysis
is not required. The certification must include a statement providing
the factual basis for this determination, and the reasoning should be
clear.
This final rule extends the expiration date of SFAR No. 105, which
provides for fewer airport delays at a minimum cost. Just as in the
initial and final regulatory flexibility analyses, the FAA expects
there will be a substantial number of small entities affected by the
extension of this final SFAR, however, the economic effect will
continue to be insignificant. Therefore, as the FAA Administrator, I
certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
Trade Impact Assessment
The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from
engaging in any standards or related activities that create unnecessary
obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. Legitimate
domestic objectives, such as safety, are not considered unnecessary
obstacles. The statute also requires consideration of international
standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S.
standards.
The FAA has assessed the potential effect of the extension of this
final rule and determined that it will not have an effect on foreign
commerce.
Unfunded Mandate Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 (the Act), enacted as Pub.
L. 104-4 on March 22, 1995, is intended, among other things, to curb
the practice of imposing unfunded Federal mandates on State, local, and
tribal governments. Title II of the Act requires each Federal agency to
prepare a written statement assessing the effects of any Federal
mandate in a proposed or final agency rule that may result in a $100
million or more expenditure (adjusted annually for inflation) in any
one year by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or
by the private sector; such a mandate is deemed to be a ``significant
regulatory action.'' The FAA currently uses an inflation-adjusted value
of $120.7 million in lieu of $100 million.
This final rule does not contain such a mandate. Therefore, the
requirements of Title II of the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 do
not apply.
Executive Order 13132, Federalism
The FAA has analyzed this final rule under the principles and
criteria of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. We determined that this
action will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, or the
relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government. Therefore, we have determined that this final rule does not
have federalism implications.
Environmental Analysis
FAA Order 1050.1E identifies FAA actions that are categorically
excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy
Act in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. The FAA has
determined this proposed rulemaking action qualifies for the
categorical exclusion identified in paragraph 312f, and involves no
extraordinary circumstances.
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or
Use
The FAA has analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 13211,
Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 18, 2001). We have determined
that it is not a ``significant energy action'' under the executive
order because it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866, and it is not likely to have a significant
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 93
Air traffic control, Airports, Alaska, Navigation (air), Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
The Amendment
0
For the reasons set forth above, the Federal Aviation Administration is
amending chapter I of title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 93--SPECIAL AIR TRAFFIC RULES AND AIRPORT TRAFFIC
0
1. The authority citation for part 93 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40106, 40109, 40113, 44502,
44514, 44701, 44719, 46301.
0
2. Section 9 of Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 105 is
revised to read as follows:
Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 105--Operating Limitations for
Unscheduled Operations at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport
* * * * *
[[Page 66256]]
Section 9. Expiration. This Special Federal Aviation Regulation
expires at 9 p.m., Central Time, on March 31, 2006, unless sooner
terminated.
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2005.
Marion C. Blakey,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-21786 Filed 10-27-05; 4:47 pm]
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