[Federal Register: August 9, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 154)]
[Notices]               
[Page 51927]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09au02-147]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

 
Activity Under OMB Review; Submission of Audit Reports--Part 248

AGENCY: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general 
public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the 
continuing need for and usefulness of BTS requiring U.S. large 
certificated air carriers to submit a true and complete of its annual 
audit that is made by an independent public accountant. If a carrier 
does not have such an annual audit, the carrier must file a statement 
that no audit has been performed. Comments are requested concerning 
whether the audit reports are needed by BTS and DOT; BTS accurately 
estimated the reporting burden; there are other ways to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; and there 
are ways to minimize reporting burden, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by October 8, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: Office of Airline 
Information, K-25, Room 4125, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, Fax no. 366-3383 or e-
mail bernard.stankus@bts.gov.
    Comments: Comments should identify the OMB # 2138-0004. Persons 
wishing the Department to acknowledge receipt of their comments must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: Comments on OMB # 2138-0004. The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernie Stankus Office of Airline 
Information, K-25, Room 4125, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, (202) 366-4387.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Approval No.: 2138-0004.
    Title: Submission of Audit Reports--Part 248.
    Form No.: None.
    Type Of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Large certificated air carriers.
    Number of Respondents: 75.
    Number of Responses: 75.
    Total Annual Burden: 20 hours.
    Needs and Uses: BTS collects independent audited financial reports 
from U.S. certificated air carriers. Carriers not having an annual 
audit must file a statement that no such audit has been performed. In 
lieu of the audit report, BTS will accept the annual report submitted 
to the stockholders. The audited reports are needed by the Department 
of Transportation as (1) a means to monitor an air carrier's continuing 
fitness to operate, (2) reference material used by analysts in 
examining foreign route cases (3) reference material used by analyst in 
examining proposed mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, (4) a 
means whereby BTS sends a copy of the report to the International Civil 
Aviation Organization (ICAO) in fulfillment of a United States treaty 
obligation, and (5) corroboration of a carrier's Form 41 filings.

Donald W. Bright,
Assistant Director, Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 02-20254 Filed 8-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P