NEW

June 23, 1997

This serves as interim notice to the public of the action described below, taken orally by the Department official indicated; the confirming order or other decision document will be issued as soon as possible.

Application of Federal Express Corporation filed 5/28/97 in Docket OST-97-2563 for:

XX Exemption from Order 97-2-20; startup deadline:

By Order 97-2-20 the Department allocated Federal Express five weekly wide-body frequencies to expand its U.S.-Brazil all-cargo operations. That award was subject to the condition that it will expire automatically and the frequencies will revert back to the Department for reallocation if they are not used for a period of 90 days. Under the terms of the order 1.5 frequencies would expire on June 28, 1997, and the remaining 3.5 frequencies would expire on June 30, 1997, if Federal Express did not begin service by those dates. Federal Express seeks exemption from that condition to the extent necessary to extend its proposed start-up date for all five frequencies to September 1, 1997. Federal Express states that because of delays in completing operational arrangements and existing market conditions, the optimum date to commence its operations is September 1, 1997.

Applicant rep.: Nathaniel P. Breed (202) 663-8078 DOT analyst: Sylvia Moore, 202-366-6519

DISPOSITION

XX Granted (see below)

The above action was effective when taken: June 23, 1997, through September 1, 1997

XX Under assigned authority (14 CFR 385) by:

Paul L. Gretch, Director
Office of International Aviation
(Petitions for review may be filed from now until
10 days after the confirming order/letter issues.
Filing of a petition shall not stay the effectiveness of this action.)

_________________________
Remarks: The 90-day dormancy period will begin September 1, 1997, Federal Express’ proposed new start-up date for its expanded U.S.-Brazil cargo service.