Docket OST-97-2971

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.

Applicant: Antonov Design Bureau Date Filed: November 12, 1997

Relief requested: AMEND exemption from 49 U.S.C. 40109(g), last granted October 7 & 31, 1997, which authorized three one-way emergency cabotage cargo charter flights carrying a total of five outsized GE90 engines and related equipment between Wilmington, OH, and Seattle/Boeing Field, WA, on behalf of GEAC, to add authority to carry two additional GE90 engines, and to extend the effective date of that authority through November 23, 1997.

Applicant representative: Sheryl R. Israel 202-663-8312

Responsive pleadings: Antonov served its amendment on those U.S. carriers operating large all-cargo aircraft. Each carrier indicated that it did not have aircraft available to conduct the proposed operations, and that it had no comment or did not oppose grant of the requested authority to Antonov.

DISPOSITION

Action: Approved Action date: NOVEMBER 14, 1997

Effective dates of authority granted: NOVEMBER 14-23, 1997

Basis for approval: We found that our action was consistent with all the relevant criteria of 49 U.S.C. 40109(g) for the grant of an exemption of this type, and that the grant of this authority was required in the public interest. Moreover, based on the representations of the U.S. carriers, we concluded that no U.S. carrier had aircraft available which could be used to conduct the operation at issue here. We also found that grant of this authority would prevent unreasonable hardship to Boeing and General Electric.

Except to the extent exempted/waived, this authority is subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations indicated:

X Standard exemption conditions
_ Foreign air carrier permit conditions

Special conditions: The applicant shall comply with an FAA-approved flight routing for the authorized flight.

Action taken by:

Charles A. Hunnicutt
Assistant Secretary for Aviation
and International Affairs