NEW

August 29, 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 Polar Air Cargo, Inc. filed 8/15/97 in Docket OST-97-2265 for:

XX Exemption from Order 97-1-17; startup deadline:

By Order 97-1-17 the Department granted Polar Air Cargo exemption authority to provide scheduled all-cargo service in the U.S.-Philippine market. That authority was subject to the condition that Polar Air inaugurate service within 90 days from the issue date of the order (January 24, 1997) or the authority would expire. On March 25, May 13, and July 18, 1997, Polar applied for an exemption to extend its April 24, 1997, startup date to June 8, July 23, and August 23, 1997, respectively. By Notices of Action Taken dated April 21, May 30, and July 25, 1997, the Department granted the extensions. Polar seeks extension of the August 23 startup date to September 22, 1997. Polar believes that grant of the necessary approvals by the Philippine authorities is imminent and the appropriate authority should be secured by September 22, 1997.

Applicant rep.: Alfred J. Eichenlaub (202) 637-9034 DOT analyst: Sylvia Moore, 202-366-6519

DISPOSITION

XX Granted

The above action was effective when taken: August 22, 1997, through September 22, 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: We acted on this application without awaiting expiration of the 15-day answer period with the consent of all parties served. In this regard Polar had notified the Department that it polled all parties served and obtained no objections from all except DHL, which Polar could not reach before expiration of its current startup exemption. We granted Polar interim authority on August 22 through August 29, 1997, pending expiration of the normal answer period. On August 25 Polar informed the Department that DHL had "no comments." On August 26, we extended approval of the startup exemption through September 22, 1997.