83_FR_21425 83 FR 21335 - Notice of Submission Deadline for Schedule Information for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport for the Winter 2018/2019 Scheduling Season

83 FR 21335 - Notice of Submission Deadline for Schedule Information for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport for the Winter 2018/2019 Scheduling Season

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 90 (May 9, 2018)

Page Range21335-21338
FR Document2018-09894

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of May 17, 2018, for winter 2018/2019 flight schedules at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The deadline coincides with the schedule submission deadline for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Slot Conference for the winter 2018/2019 scheduling season.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21335-21338]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09894]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Submission Deadline for Schedule Information for 
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International 
Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty 
International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport for the 
Winter 2018/2019 Scheduling Season

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of submission deadline.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline 
of May 17, 2018, for winter 2018/2019

[[Page 21336]]

flight schedules at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), John F. 
Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport 
(LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and San Francisco 
International Airport (SFO). The deadline coincides with the schedule 
submission deadline for the International Air Transport Association 
(IATA) Slot Conference for the winter 2018/2019 scheduling season.

DATES: Schedules must be submitted no later than May 17, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Schedules may be submitted by mail to the Slot 
Administration Office, AGC-200, Office of the Chief Counsel, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; facsimile: 202-267-7277; 
or by email to: 7-AWA-slotadmin@faa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Bourgoin, System Operations 
Services, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, 
AJR-0, Room 300W, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone number: 202-267-0968; email: bryan.bourgoin@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has designated EWR, LAX, ORD\\, and 
SFO as IATA Level 2 airports and JFK as an IATA Level 3 airport under 
the Worldwide Slot Guidelines (WSG). The FAA currently limits scheduled 
operations at JFK by Order until October 27, 2018.\1\ The FAA intends 
to extend the effective date of the JFK Order prior to the expiration 
of the current Order.
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    \1\ Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy International 
Airport, 73 FR 3510 (Jan. 18, 2008), as amended 81 FR 40167 (June 
21, 2016).
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    The FAA is primarily concerned about scheduled and other regularly 
conducted commercial operations during peak hours, but carriers may 
submit schedule plans for the entire day. At ORD, the peak hours for 
the winter 2018/2019 scheduling season are 0700 to 2100 Central Time 
(1300 to 0300 UTC), at LAX and SFO from 0600 to 2300 Pacific Time (1400 
to 0700 UTC), and at EWR and JFK from 0600 to 2300 Eastern Time (1100 
to 0400 UTC). These hours are unchanged from previous scheduling 
seasons. Carriers should submit schedule information in sufficient 
detail including, at minimum, the marketing or operating carrier, 
flight number, scheduled time of operation, frequency, aircraft 
equipment, and effective dates. IATA standard schedule information 
format and data elements for communications at Level 2 and Level 3 
airports in the IATA Standard Schedules Information Manual (SSIM) 
Chapter 6 may be used. The WSG provides additional information on 
schedule submissions at Level 2 and Level 3 airports.
    The U.S. winter scheduling season is from October 28, 2018, through 
March 30, 2019, in recognition of the IATA northern winter scheduling 
period. The FAA understands there may be differences in schedule times 
due to different U.S. daylight saving time dates and will accommodate 
these differences to the extent possible.

General Information for All Airports

    The FAA considers several factors and priorities as it reviews 
schedule requests at Level 2 airports. The WSG states that schedule 
facilitation is based on schedule adjustments mutually agreed between 
the airlines and the facilitator; to avoid exceeding the airport's 
coordination parameters, that the concepts of historic precedence and 
series of slots do not apply at Level 2 airports, and that the 
facilitator should adjust the smallest number of flights by the least 
amount of time necessary to avoid exceeding the airport's coordination 
parameters. The WSG also includes priorities such as services from the 
previous equivalent season over new demand for the same timings, 
services that are unchanged over services that plan to change time or 
other capacity relevant parameters, introduction of year-round 
services, effective period of operation, regularly planned operations 
over ad hoc operations, and other operational factors that may limit a 
carrier's timing flexibility. In addition, Congress, the Department of 
Transportation (DOT), through the FAA and the Office of the Secretary 
(OST), and the Department of Justice have adopted a number of measures 
to promote competition and new entry at U.S. slot controlled airports 
and, likewise, the WSG has priorities to consider new entry and 
competition at Level 3 airports. The FAA prioritizes new entrant 
flights within the scheduling limits for the airport.
    Generally, the FAA uses average hourly runway capacity throughput 
for airports and performance metrics in its schedule reviews at Level 2 
airports.\2\ The FAA also considers other factors that can affect 
operations, such as capacity changes due to runway, taxiway, or other 
airport construction, air traffic control procedural changes, airport 
surface operations, or historical or projected flight delays and 
congestion. At JFK, the scheduling limit of 81 operations per hour is 
established in the FAA Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The FAA typically determines an airport's average adjusted 
runway capacity or throughput for Level 2 and Level 3 airports by 
reviewing hourly data on the arrival and departure rates that air 
traffic control indicates could be accepted for that hour, commonly 
known as ``called'' rates. We also review the actual number of 
arrivals and departures that operated in the same hour. Generally, 
the FAA uses the higher of the two numbers, called or actual, for 
identifying trends and schedule review purposes. Some dates are 
excluded from analysis, such as during periods when extended airport 
closures or construction could affect capacity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Slot management in the United States differs from other countries 
that follow the IATA WSG. In the United States, the FAA is responsible 
for facilitation and coordination of runway access for takeoffs and 
landings at Level 2 and Level 3 airports; however, the airport 
authority or its designee is responsible for facilitation and 
coordination of terminal/gate/airport facility access. The process with 
the individual airports for terminal access and other airport services 
is separate from, and in addition to, the FAA schedule review based on 
runway capacity. Approval from both the FAA and the airport authority 
for runway and airport availability, respectively, is necessary before 
implementing schedule plans. Contact information for Level 2 and Level 
3 airports is available at http://www.iata.org/policy/slots/Pages/slot-guidelines.aspx.
    The FAA seeks to improve communications with carriers and schedule 
facilitators at Level 2 airports on potential runway schedule issues or 
terminal and gate issues that may affect the runway times. The FAA also 
seeks to reduce the time that carriers consider proposed offers on 
schedules, especially within peak periods or in periods of limited 
availability with competing requests. Retaining open offers for 
extended periods of time may delay the facilitation process for the 
airport. Reducing this delay is particularly important to allow the FAA 
to make informed decisions at airports where some hours are at or near 
the scheduling limits. If carriers do not accept the offers or continue 
to submit revised schedules that are above the limits, the FAA cannot 
effectively assess the final proposed schedules. The agency recognizes 
that there are circumstances that may require some schedules to remain 
pending. However, the FAA expects to substantially complete the process 
on initial submissions each scheduling season within 30 days of the end 
of the Slot Conference. After this time, the agency would confirm the 
acceptance of offers or issue a denial of schedule requests so that 
there is no ambiguity about the initial approved and unapproved 
schedules.
    Finally, the FAA notes that the schedule information submitted by 
carriers to the FAA may be subject to

[[Page 21337]]

disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The WSG also 
provides for release of information at certain stages of slot 
coordination and schedule facilitation. In general, once it takes 
action, the FAA may release information on slot allocation or similar 
slot transactions or schedule information reviewed as part of the 
schedule facilitation process. The FAA does not expect that practice to 
change and most slot and schedule information would not be exempt from 
release under FOIA. The FAA recognizes that some airlines may submit 
information on schedule plans that is not available to the public and 
may be considered by the carrier to be proprietary. Carriers that 
submit slot or schedule information deemed proprietary should clearly 
mark such information accordingly. The FAA will take the necessary 
steps to protect properly designated information to the extent 
allowable by law.

JFK Schedules

    The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) plans 
construction on JFK Runway 13L/31R. The FAA will review the final 
phasing and assess the operational impacts once the construction plans 
are available. Mitigation strategies for prior runway construction 
projects could be used as needed. These include a ``playbook'' 
describing operational plans for various runway configurations and 
operating conditions, working with carriers to reduce schedules during 
certain periods or retime flights to less congested periods, limiting 
approval for new flights, or encouraging temporary reductions by 
waiving minimum slot usage requirements. The PANYNJ holds regular 
meetings with airlines and other stakeholders to discuss construction 
plans and consults with the FAA and local air traffic control 
facilities to minimize operational impacts. JFK operators also meet 
regularly to discuss operational issues at the airport. The FAA meets 
quarterly with stakeholders on operational issues in the greater New 
York City area. These various local meetings may be the best source of 
current construction-related information to assist in planning 
schedules and operations.

EWR Schedules

    The FAA is continuing to monitor operations and delays at EWR, 
especially in the busiest afternoon and evening hours. The FAA 
announced the change in designation to Level 2 at EWR in April 2016.\3\ 
Delays in summer 2016 increased over summer 2015, in part because 
allocated slots in the afternoon and evening hours were used at higher 
rates than in 2015. Subsequently, as expected, delays further increased 
as a result of new entry at EWR enabled by the change to Level 2. 
However, compared to summer 2007 when the airport operated without 
scheduling limits and slots \4\, most performance metrics for summer 
2017 were better than summer 2007 despite the additional flights under 
Level 2. The FAA recognizes there have been a number of changes in the 
NYC area since 2007, including changes in airspace and procedures, 
regulatory changes such as crew flight and duty time and long flight 
(tarmac) delays, and network management by airlines. The FAA is 
reviewing the current performance goals as well as any related capacity 
and operational impacts caused by these changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Change of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) 
Designation, 81 FR 19861 (Apr. 6, 2016).
    \4\ Order Limiting Scheduled Operations at Newark Liberty 
International Airport, 73 FR 29550 (May 21, 2008). The EWR Order 
took effect in June 2008. In addition to reviewing performance 
metrics on a year-over-year basis for the busiest summer months, one 
FAA goal in adopting the Order was to manage schedules and keep 
delays from exceeding summer 2007 levels. In summer 2017, the number 
of arriving flights delayed by two hours or more increased by 5.5 
percent compared to summer 2007.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since transitioning to Level 2, requests for flights in the 
afternoon and evening hours have consistently exceeded the scheduling 
limits at EWR. The FAA advised carriers it would not be able to 
accommodate all requests for new operations and has reached agreement 
in most cases with carriers to retime flights as necessary in the 
initial seasons under Level 2. For the summer 2018 season, the FAA 
lowered the scheduling limit from 81 to 79 operations per hour based on 
an updated airport capacity analysis and review of summer 2017 
performance. The winter season limits were already at 79 per hour based 
on winter season capacity analyses. For summer 2018, the FAA encouraged 
carriers to reduce operations in the peak periods and operate flights 
in less congested hours to improve operations and reduce delays, 
particularly in the afternoon and evening hours. However, the FAA 
advised it would accept flights above the new hourly limits if the 
flights were operated in summer 2017. The FAA also indicated new 
flights were possible in hours with fewer than 79 operations.
    Despite the FAA's efforts to facilitate voluntary scheduling 
cooperation at EWR, certain carriers have been unwilling to reduce 
operations in peak hours to assist with the growing delays. Average 
demand for summer 2018 in the afternoon and evening hours remains at 81 
operations per hour as it was in summer 2017. There are periods when 
the demand in half-hours or consecutive half-hours exceeds the optimum 
runway capacity. The imbalance of scheduled arrivals and departures in 
certain periods has also contributed to increased congestion and delays 
when the demand exceeds the called arrival or departure rates. For 
example, early afternoon arrivals exceed optimum runway capacity and 
air traffic control regularly implements traffic management initiatives 
including ground delay programs. Recent FAA modeling indicates retiming 
arrivals from the 1400 hour to the 1300 and 1200 hours could have 
significant delay reduction benefits and help preserve the Level 2 
designation at EWR.
    For the summer 2018 season, airlines generally agreed to retime 
requests for new flights to periods outside of the peak hours. However, 
this growth has resulted in more hours with operations at the 
scheduling limits. As the summer 2018 schedules are expected to be 
similar to summer 2017, the performance metrics are highly unlikely to 
improve without further summer schedule adjustments.
    In light of the increasing delays in the peak afternoon hours due 
to the unwillingness of certain carriers to voluntarily retime historic 
flights into other less congested periods and the imbalance of arrivals 
and departures, the FAA is adopting new half-hourly scheduling limits 
of 43 operations, in addition to the current hourly limit of 79 per 
hour. As noted earlier, it is important to maintain a balance between 
arrivals and departures to limit delays. The maximum number of arrivals 
or departures, respectively, which can be accommodated is 43 in an hour 
and 24 in a half-hour. This would allow some higher levels of 
operations in certain periods (not to exceed the hourly limits) and 
some recovery from lower demand in adjacent periods.\5\ The FAA is 
seeking voluntary cooperation by all carriers to retime flights within 
the described limits. Based on the average winter 2017/2018 schedules, 
modest changes would be needed in only a few periods to be within these 
limits. Additional flights could be approved in hours that are below 
the scheduling limits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The half-hour and arrival and departure limits are 
approximately 55 percent of the typical hourly adjusted airport 
capacity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on demand in winter 2017/2018 and summer 2018, the FAA 
anticipates the highest demand for flights will be in the 0700 and 0800 
local hours (1200 to 1359 UTC) and

[[Page 21338]]

1400 to 2159 local hours (1900 to 0259 UTC). Requests for new flights 
will not be approved unless the hourly scheduled operations are within 
the previously described hourly limits. Consistent with the WSG, 
carriers should be prepared to adjust schedules to meet the hourly 
limits in order to minimize potential congestion and delay.
    The FAA seeks to reach agreement with carriers to schedule flights 
within the scheduling limits and urges all carriers to cooperate. The 
FAA is introducing the half-hourly and arrivals and departures limits 
within each hour in an effort to preserve the Level 2 designation at 
EWR. If voluntary schedule adjustments are not achievable and delays 
continue to increase, the FAA will consider whether a Level 3 
designation is necessary. If a Level 3 designation is warranted, the 
FAA will work closely with OST regarding policies for the 
reintroduction of slot controls at EWR, which may include considering 
options to address access at the airport. In addition, the DOT and the 
FAA will determine whether a schedule reduction meeting is necessary 
pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 41722.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 4, 2018.
Jeffrey Planty,
Deputy Vice President, System Operations Services.
[FR Doc. 2018-09894 Filed 5-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 9, 2018 / Notices                                                   21335

                                             Trangle’’ building, 93200, Saint-Denis,                 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                             a. SC–206—Aeronautical Information
                                             France.                                                                                                             and Meteorological Data Link
                                                                                                     Federal Aviation Administration                             Services—Discussion—Revised
                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                                                                    TOR
                                             Karan Hofmann at khofmann@rtca.org                      RTCA PMC Program Management                              b. SC–213—Enhanced Flight Vision
                                             or 202–330–0680, or The RTCA                            Committee Plenary                                           Systems/Synthetic Vision—
                                             Secretariat, 1150 18th Street NW, Suite                 AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                                   Discussion—Possible Revised TOR
                                             910, Washington, DC 20036, or by                        Administration (FAA), U.S. Department                    c. SC–230—Weather Detection
                                             telephone at (202) 833–9339, fax at (202)               of Transportation (DOT).                                    Systems—Discussion—Revised
                                             833–9434, or website at http://                                                                                     TOR
                                                                                                     ACTION: RTCA PMC Program
                                             www.rtca.org.                                                                                                    d. SC–236—Standards for Wireless
                                                                                                     Management Committee Plenary.                               Avionics Intra-Communication
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      Pursuant                                                                            System (WAIC) within 4300–4400
                                                                                                     SUMMARY:   The FAA is issuing this notice
                                             to section 10(a) (2) of the Federal                                                                                 MHz—Discussion—Revised TOR
                                                                                                     to advise the public of a meeting of
                                             Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–                     RTCA PMC Program Management                              e. NAC—Status Update
                                             463, 5 U.S.C., App.), notice is hereby                  Committee Plenary.                                       f. DAC—Status Update
                                             given for a meeting of the Thirty Sixth                                                                          g. FAA Actions Taken on Previously
                                                                                                     DATES: The meeting will be held June
                                             RTCA SC–214 Standards for Air Traffic                                                                               Published Documents—Report
                                                                                                     21, 2018 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.                             h. Special Committees—Chairmen’s
                                             Data Communications Services Plenary.
                                             The agenda will include the following:                  ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at:                     Reports and Active Inter-Special
                                                                                                     RTCA Headquarters, 1150 18th Street                         Committee Requirements
                                             1. Welcome and Administrative                           NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036.                        Agreements (ISRA)—Review
                                                  Remarks                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         i. European/EUROCAE
                                             2. Introductions                                        Karan Hofmann at khofmann@rtca.org                          Coordination—Status Update
                                             3. Agenda Review                                        or 202–330–0680, or The RTCA                          8. Other Business
                                                                                                     Secretariat, 1150 18th Street NW, Suite               9. Schedule for Committee Deliverables
                                             4. Meeting-Minutes Review                               910, Washington, DC, 20036, or by                           and Next Meeting Date
                                             5. Review/Resolution of DO–224D                         telephone at (202) 833–9339, fax at (202)             10. New Action Item Summary
                                                  FRAC Comments                                      833–9434, or website at http://                          Attendance is open to the interested
                                             6. Review/Resolution of DO–281C and                     www.rtca.org.                                         public but limited to space availability.
                                                  ED–92C Final Review and                            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      Pursuant              With the approval of the chairman,
                                                  Comment(FRAC)/Open                                 to section 10(a) (2) of the Federal                   members of the public may present oral
                                                  Consultation Comments                              Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–                   statements at the meeting. Persons
                                                                                                     463, 5 U.S.C., App.), notice is hereby                wishing to present statements or obtain
                                             7. Approve release of DO–224D for                                                                             information should contact the person
                                                  presentation to PMC                                given for a meeting of the RTCA PMC
                                                                                                     Program Management Committee                          listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                             8. Approve release of DO–281C for                       Plenary. The agenda will include the                  CONTACT section. Members of the public
                                                  presentation to PMC and ED–92C to                  following:                                            may present a written statement to the
                                                  Council                                                                                                  committee at any time.
                                                                                                     1. Welcome and Introductions
                                             9. Industry Presentation: Connectionless                2. Review/Approve                                       Issued in Washington, DC, on May 3, 2018.
                                                  VDL2 Network                                          a. Meeting Summary March 22, 2018                  Michelle Swearingen,
                                             10. Schedule Update                                        b. Administrative SC TOR Revisions                 Systems and Equipment Standards Branch,
                                                                                                     3. Publication Consideration/Approval                 AIR–6B0, Policy and Innovation Division,
                                             11. Date, Place and Time of Next                           a. New Document—MOPS for GNSS                      AIR–600, Federal Aviation Administration.
                                                  Meeting                                                  Active Antenna in the L1/E1 and                 [FR Doc. 2018–09828 Filed 5–8–18; 8:45 am]
                                             12. Other Topics                                              L5/E5A Bands prepared by SC–159                 BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

                                             13. Adjourn Plenary                                           (Navigation Equipment Using the
                                                                                                           Global Navigation Satellite System
                                                Attendance is open to the interested                       (GNSS))                                         DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                             public but limited to space availability.                  b. DO–356A—Airworthiness Security
                                             With the approval of the chairman,                            Methods and Considerations                      Federal Aviation Administration
                                             members of the public may present oral                        prepared by SC–216, Aeronautical
                                             statements at the meeting. Persons                                                                            Notice of Submission Deadline for
                                                                                                           Systems Security
                                                                                                                                                           Schedule Information for Chicago
                                             wishing to present statements or obtain                    c. DO–213A Change 1—Minimum
                                                                                                                                                           O’Hare International Airport, John F.
                                             information should contact the person                         Operational Performance Standards
                                                                                                                                                           Kennedy International Airport, Los
                                             listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION                         for Nose-Mounted Radomes
                                                                                                                                                           Angeles International Airport, Newark
                                             CONTACT section. Members of the public                        prepared by SC–230 (Weather
                                                                                                                                                           Liberty International Airport, and San
                                             may present a written statement to the                        Detection Systems)
                                                                                                                                                           Francisco International Airport for the
                                             committee at any time.                                     d. DO–220A Change 1—Minimum
                                                                                                                                                           Winter 2018/2019 Scheduling Season
                                                                                                           Operational Performance Standards
                                               Issued in Washington, DC, on April 30,
                                                                                                           (MOPS) for Airborne Weather Radar               AGENCY: Federal Aviation
                                             2018.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                           Systems prepared by SC–230                      Administration (FAA), Department of
                                             Michelle Swearingen,                                          (Weather Detection Systems)                     Transportation.
                                             Systems and Equipment Standards Branch,                 4. Integration and Coordination Meeting               ACTION: Notice of submission deadline.
                                             AIR–6B0, Policy and Innovation Division,                      (ICC)
                                             AIR–600, Federal Aviation Administration.               5. Cross Cutting Committee (CCC)                      SUMMARY: Under this notice, the FAA
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–09445 Filed 5–8–18; 8:45 am]              6. Past Action Item Review                            announces the submission deadline of
                                             BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  7. Discussion                                         May 17, 2018, for winter 2018/2019


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:39 May 08, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00079   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM   09MYN1


                                             21336                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 9, 2018 / Notices

                                             flight schedules at Chicago O’Hare                      provides additional information on                      that can affect operations, such as
                                             International Airport (ORD), John F.                    schedule submissions at Level 2 and                     capacity changes due to runway,
                                             Kennedy International Airport (JFK),                    Level 3 airports.                                       taxiway, or other airport construction,
                                             Los Angeles International Airport                         The U.S. winter scheduling season is                  air traffic control procedural changes,
                                             (LAX), Newark Liberty International                     from October 28, 2018, through March                    airport surface operations, or historical
                                             Airport (EWR), and San Francisco                        30, 2019, in recognition of the IATA                    or projected flight delays and
                                             International Airport (SFO). The                        northern winter scheduling period. The                  congestion. At JFK, the scheduling limit
                                             deadline coincides with the schedule                    FAA understands there may be                            of 81 operations per hour is established
                                             submission deadline for the                             differences in schedule times due to                    in the FAA Order.
                                             International Air Transport Association                 different U.S. daylight saving time dates                  Slot management in the United States
                                             (IATA) Slot Conference for the winter                   and will accommodate these differences                  differs from other countries that follow
                                             2018/2019 scheduling season.                            to the extent possible.                                 the IATA WSG. In the United States, the
                                             DATES: Schedules must be submitted no                                                                           FAA is responsible for facilitation and
                                                                                                     General Information for All Airports                    coordination of runway access for
                                             later than May 17, 2018.
                                                                                                        The FAA considers several factors                    takeoffs and landings at Level 2 and
                                             ADDRESSES: Schedules may be
                                                                                                     and priorities as it reviews schedule                   Level 3 airports; however, the airport
                                             submitted by mail to the Slot                           requests at Level 2 airports. The WSG                   authority or its designee is responsible
                                             Administration Office, AGC–200, Office                  states that schedule facilitation is based              for facilitation and coordination of
                                             of the Chief Counsel, 800 Independence                  on schedule adjustments mutually                        terminal/gate/airport facility access. The
                                             Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591;                        agreed between the airlines and the                     process with the individual airports for
                                             facsimile: 202–267–7277; or by email to:                facilitator; to avoid exceeding the                     terminal access and other airport
                                             7–AWA-slotadmin@faa.gov.                                airport’s coordination parameters, that                 services is separate from, and in
                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        the concepts of historic precedence and                 addition to, the FAA schedule review
                                             Bryan Bourgoin, System Operations                       series of slots do not apply at Level 2                 based on runway capacity. Approval
                                             Services, Air Traffic Organization,                     airports, and that the facilitator should               from both the FAA and the airport
                                             Federal Aviation Administration, AJR–                   adjust the smallest number of flights by                authority for runway and airport
                                             0, Room 300W, 800 Independence                          the least amount of time necessary to                   availability, respectively, is necessary
                                             Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591;                        avoid exceeding the airport’s                           before implementing schedule plans.
                                             telephone number: 202–267–0968;                         coordination parameters. The WSG also                   Contact information for Level 2 and
                                             email: bryan.bourgoin@faa.gov.                          includes priorities such as services from               Level 3 airports is available at http://
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA                      the previous equivalent season over new                 www.iata.org/policy/slots/Pages/slot-
                                             has designated EWR, LAX, ORD\\, and                     demand for the same timings, services                   guidelines.aspx.
                                             SFO as IATA Level 2 airports and JFK                    that are unchanged over services that                      The FAA seeks to improve
                                             as an IATA Level 3 airport under the                    plan to change time or other capacity                   communications with carriers and
                                             Worldwide Slot Guidelines (WSG). The                    relevant parameters, introduction of                    schedule facilitators at Level 2 airports
                                             FAA currently limits scheduled                          year-round services, effective period of                on potential runway schedule issues or
                                             operations at JFK by Order until October                operation, regularly planned operations                 terminal and gate issues that may affect
                                             27, 2018.1 The FAA intends to extend                    over ad hoc operations, and other                       the runway times. The FAA also seeks
                                             the effective date of the JFK Order prior               operational factors that may limit a                    to reduce the time that carriers consider
                                             to the expiration of the current Order.                 carrier’s timing flexibility. In addition,              proposed offers on schedules, especially
                                                The FAA is primarily concerned                       Congress, the Department of                             within peak periods or in periods of
                                             about scheduled and other regularly                     Transportation (DOT), through the FAA                   limited availability with competing
                                             conducted commercial operations                         and the Office of the Secretary (OST),                  requests. Retaining open offers for
                                             during peak hours, but carriers may                     and the Department of Justice have                      extended periods of time may delay the
                                             submit schedule plans for the entire                    adopted a number of measures to                         facilitation process for the airport.
                                             day. At ORD, the peak hours for the                     promote competition and new entry at                    Reducing this delay is particularly
                                             winter 2018/2019 scheduling season are                  U.S. slot controlled airports and,                      important to allow the FAA to make
                                             0700 to 2100 Central Time (1300 to 0300                 likewise, the WSG has priorities to                     informed decisions at airports where
                                             UTC), at LAX and SFO from 0600 to                       consider new entry and competition at                   some hours are at or near the scheduling
                                             2300 Pacific Time (1400 to 0700 UTC),                   Level 3 airports. The FAA prioritizes                   limits. If carriers do not accept the offers
                                             and at EWR and JFK from 0600 to 2300                    new entrant flights within the                          or continue to submit revised schedules
                                             Eastern Time (1100 to 0400 UTC). These                  scheduling limits for the airport.                      that are above the limits, the FAA
                                             hours are unchanged from previous                          Generally, the FAA uses average                      cannot effectively assess the final
                                             scheduling seasons. Carriers should                     hourly runway capacity throughput for                   proposed schedules. The agency
                                             submit schedule information in                          airports and performance metrics in its                 recognizes that there are circumstances
                                             sufficient detail including, at minimum,                schedule reviews at Level 2 airports.2                  that may require some schedules to
                                             the marketing or operating carrier, flight              The FAA also considers other factors                    remain pending. However, the FAA
                                             number, scheduled time of operation,                                                                            expects to substantially complete the
                                             frequency, aircraft equipment, and                         2 The FAA typically determines an airport’s          process on initial submissions each
                                             effective dates. IATA standard schedule                 average adjusted runway capacity or throughput for      scheduling season within 30 days of the
                                             information format and data elements
                                                                                                     Level 2 and Level 3 airports by reviewing hourly        end of the Slot Conference. After this
                                                                                                     data on the arrival and departure rates that air        time, the agency would confirm the
                                             for communications at Level 2 and
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                                                                                                     traffic control indicates could be accepted for that
                                             Level 3 airports in the IATA Standard                   hour, commonly known as ‘‘called’’ rates. We also       acceptance of offers or issue a denial of
                                             Schedules Information Manual (SSIM)                     review the actual number of arrivals and departures     schedule requests so that there is no
                                             Chapter 6 may be used. The WSG
                                                                                                     that operated in the same hour. Generally, the FAA      ambiguity about the initial approved
                                                                                                     uses the higher of the two numbers, called or actual,   and unapproved schedules.
                                                                                                     for identifying trends and schedule review
                                               1 Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy            purposes. Some dates are excluded from analysis,
                                                                                                                                                                Finally, the FAA notes that the
                                             International Airport, 73 FR 3510 (Jan. 18, 2008), as   such as during periods when extended airport            schedule information submitted by
                                             amended 81 FR 40167 (June 21, 2016).                    closures or construction could affect capacity.         carriers to the FAA may be subject to


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 9, 2018 / Notices                                                     21337

                                             disclosure under the Freedom of                         increased over summer 2015, in part                   remains at 81 operations per hour as it
                                             Information Act (FOIA). The WSG also                    because allocated slots in the afternoon              was in summer 2017. There are periods
                                             provides for release of information at                  and evening hours were used at higher                 when the demand in half-hours or
                                             certain stages of slot coordination and                 rates than in 2015. Subsequently, as                  consecutive half-hours exceeds the
                                             schedule facilitation. In general, once it              expected, delays further increased as a               optimum runway capacity. The
                                             takes action, the FAA may release                       result of new entry at EWR enabled by                 imbalance of scheduled arrivals and
                                             information on slot allocation or similar               the change to Level 2. However,                       departures in certain periods has also
                                             slot transactions or schedule                           compared to summer 2007 when the                      contributed to increased congestion and
                                             information reviewed as part of the                     airport operated without scheduling                   delays when the demand exceeds the
                                             schedule facilitation process. The FAA                  limits and slots 4, most performance                  called arrival or departure rates. For
                                             does not expect that practice to change                 metrics for summer 2017 were better                   example, early afternoon arrivals exceed
                                             and most slot and schedule information                  than summer 2007 despite the                          optimum runway capacity and air traffic
                                             would not be exempt from release under                  additional flights under Level 2. The                 control regularly implements traffic
                                             FOIA. The FAA recognizes that some                      FAA recognizes there have been a                      management initiatives including
                                             airlines may submit information on                      number of changes in the NYC area                     ground delay programs. Recent FAA
                                             schedule plans that is not available to                 since 2007, including changes in                      modeling indicates retiming arrivals
                                             the public and may be considered by the                 airspace and procedures, regulatory                   from the 1400 hour to the 1300 and
                                             carrier to be proprietary. Carriers that                changes such as crew flight and duty                  1200 hours could have significant delay
                                             submit slot or schedule information                     time and long flight (tarmac) delays, and             reduction benefits and help preserve the
                                             deemed proprietary should clearly mark                  network management by airlines. The                   Level 2 designation at EWR.
                                             such information accordingly. The FAA                   FAA is reviewing the current                             For the summer 2018 season, airlines
                                             will take the necessary steps to protect                performance goals as well as any related              generally agreed to retime requests for
                                             properly designated information to the                  capacity and operational impacts caused               new flights to periods outside of the
                                             extent allowable by law.                                by these changes.                                     peak hours. However, this growth has
                                                                                                       Since transitioning to Level 2,                     resulted in more hours with operations
                                             JFK Schedules                                           requests for flights in the afternoon and             at the scheduling limits. As the summer
                                                The Port Authority of New York and                   evening hours have consistently                       2018 schedules are expected to be
                                             New Jersey (PANYNJ) plans                               exceeded the scheduling limits at EWR.                similar to summer 2017, the
                                             construction on JFK Runway 13L/31R.                     The FAA advised carriers it would not                 performance metrics are highly unlikely
                                             The FAA will review the final phasing                   be able to accommodate all requests for               to improve without further summer
                                             and assess the operational impacts once                 new operations and has reached                        schedule adjustments.
                                             the construction plans are available.                   agreement in most cases with carriers to                 In light of the increasing delays in the
                                             Mitigation strategies for prior runway                  retime flights as necessary in the initial            peak afternoon hours due to the
                                             construction projects could be used as                  seasons under Level 2. For the summer                 unwillingness of certain carriers to
                                             needed. These include a ‘‘playbook’’                    2018 season, the FAA lowered the                      voluntarily retime historic flights into
                                             describing operational plans for various                scheduling limit from 81 to 79                        other less congested periods and the
                                             runway configurations and operating                     operations per hour based on an                       imbalance of arrivals and departures,
                                             conditions, working with carriers to                    updated airport capacity analysis and                 the FAA is adopting new half-hourly
                                             reduce schedules during certain periods                 review of summer 2017 performance.                    scheduling limits of 43 operations, in
                                             or retime flights to less congested                     The winter season limits were already at              addition to the current hourly limit of
                                             periods, limiting approval for new                      79 per hour based on winter season                    79 per hour. As noted earlier, it is
                                             flights, or encouraging temporary                       capacity analyses. For summer 2018, the               important to maintain a balance
                                             reductions by waiving minimum slot                      FAA encouraged carriers to reduce                     between arrivals and departures to limit
                                             usage requirements. The PANYNJ holds                    operations in the peak periods and                    delays. The maximum number of
                                             regular meetings with airlines and other                operate flights in less congested hours to            arrivals or departures, respectively,
                                             stakeholders to discuss construction                    improve operations and reduce delays,                 which can be accommodated is 43 in an
                                             plans and consults with the FAA and                     particularly in the afternoon and                     hour and 24 in a half-hour. This would
                                             local air traffic control facilities to                 evening hours. However, the FAA                       allow some higher levels of operations
                                             minimize operational impacts. JFK                       advised it would accept flights above                 in certain periods (not to exceed the
                                             operators also meet regularly to discuss                the new hourly limits if the flights were             hourly limits) and some recovery from
                                             operational issues at the airport. The                  operated in summer 2017. The FAA also                 lower demand in adjacent periods.5 The
                                             FAA meets quarterly with stakeholders                   indicated new flights were possible in                FAA is seeking voluntary cooperation
                                             on operational issues in the greater New                hours with fewer than 79 operations.                  by all carriers to retime flights within
                                             York City area. These various local                       Despite the FAA’s efforts to facilitate             the described limits. Based on the
                                             meetings may be the best source of                      voluntary scheduling cooperation at                   average winter 2017/2018 schedules,
                                             current construction-related information                EWR, certain carriers have been                       modest changes would be needed in
                                             to assist in planning schedules and                     unwilling to reduce operations in peak                only a few periods to be within these
                                             operations.                                             hours to assist with the growing delays.              limits. Additional flights could be
                                                                                                     Average demand for summer 2018 in                     approved in hours that are below the
                                             EWR Schedules                                           the afternoon and evening hours
                                                                                                                                                           scheduling limits.
                                               The FAA is continuing to monitor                                                                               Based on demand in winter 2017/
                                                                                                       4 Order Limiting Scheduled Operations at Newark
                                             operations and delays at EWR,                                                                                 2018 and summer 2018, the FAA
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                                                                                                     Liberty International Airport, 73 FR 29550 (May 21,
                                             especially in the busiest afternoon and                 2008). The EWR Order took effect in June 2008. In     anticipates the highest demand for
                                             evening hours. The FAA announced the                    addition to reviewing performance metrics on a        flights will be in the 0700 and 0800
                                             change in designation to Level 2 at EWR                 year-over-year basis for the busiest summer months,
                                                                                                     one FAA goal in adopting the Order was to manage
                                                                                                                                                           local hours (1200 to 1359 UTC) and
                                             in April 2016.3 Delays in summer 2016                   schedules and keep delays from exceeding summer
                                                                                                     2007 levels. In summer 2017, the number of              5 The half-hour and arrival and departure limits
                                               3 Changeof Newark Liberty International Airport       arriving flights delayed by two hours or more         are approximately 55 percent of the typical hourly
                                             (EWR) Designation, 81 FR 19861 (Apr. 6, 2016).          increased by 5.5 percent compared to summer 2007.     adjusted airport capacity.



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                                             21338                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 9, 2018 / Notices

                                             1400 to 2159 local hours (1900 to 0259                  2018–0032 by any of the following                     and 23 CFR 490.107). The information
                                             UTC). Requests for new flights will not                 methods:                                              being requested in the TPM Biennial
                                             be approved unless the hourly                              Website: For access to the docket to               Reports will be provided to the DOT in
                                             scheduled operations are within the                     read background documents or                          an electronic format through an online
                                             previously described hourly limits.                     comments received go to the Federal                   data form called the Performance
                                             Consistent with the WSG, carriers                       eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://                     Management Form (PMF). Alternative
                                             should be prepared to adjust schedules                  www.regulations.gov.                                  formats will be made available where
                                             to meet the hourly limits in order to                      Follow the online instructions for                 necessary. As part of the rulemaking 1
                                             minimize potential congestion and                       submitting comments.                                  implementing the MAP–21 and FAST
                                             delay.                                                     Fax: 1–202–493–2251.                               Act requirements, FHWA evaluated all
                                               The FAA seeks to reach agreement                         Mail: Docket Management Facility,                  of the Biennial Reporting requirements
                                             with carriers to schedule flights within                U.S. Department of Transportation,                    in the individual regulatory impact
                                             the scheduling limits and urges all                     West Building Ground Floor, Room                      assessments (RIA) and determined the
                                             carriers to cooperate. The FAA is                       W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,                   following:
                                             introducing the half-hourly and arrivals                Washington, DC 20590–0001.
                                             and departures limits within each hour                     Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S.                       Respondents: 52 State DOTs,
                                             in an effort to preserve the Level 2                    Department of Transportation, West                    including Washington DC and Puerto
                                             designation at EWR. If voluntary                        Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,                  Rico.
                                             schedule adjustments are not achievable                 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,                              Frequency: Biennially.
                                             and delays continue to increase, the                    Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
                                             FAA will consider whether a Level 3                                                                             Estimated Average Burden per
                                                                                                     and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday,
                                             designation is necessary. If a Level 3                                                                        Response: Approximately 2,128 hours
                                                                                                     except Federal holidays.
                                             designation is warranted, the FAA will                                                                        annually for an individual State DOT to
                                                                                                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      compile, organize, and submit the report
                                             work closely with OST regarding
                                                                                                     Susanna Hughes Reck, Office of                        to FHWA.
                                             policies for the reintroduction of slot
                                                                                                     Infrastructure, HISM–20, (202) 366–
                                             controls at EWR, which may include                                                                              Estimated Total Annual Burden
                                                                                                     1548 Federal Highway Administration,
                                             considering options to address access at                                                                      Hours: Approximately 110,656 hours
                                                                                                     1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
                                             the airport. In addition, the DOT and the                                                                     annually.
                                                                                                     Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are
                                             FAA will determine whether a schedule
                                                                                                     from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday                  Public Comments Invited: You are
                                             reduction meeting is necessary pursuant
                                                                                                     through Friday, except Federal holidays.              asked to comment on any aspect of this
                                             to 49 U.S.C. 41722.
                                                                                                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            information collection, including: (1)
                                               Issued in Washington, DC, on May 4, 2018.
                                                                                                        Title: Biennial Performance Reporting              Ways for the FHWA to enhance the
                                             Jeffrey Planty,                                         for the TPM Program.                                  quality, usefulness, and clarity of the
                                             Deputy Vice President, System Operations                   Background: The MAP–21 (Pub. L.                    collected information; and (2) ways that
                                             Services.                                               112–141) and FAST Act (Pub. L. 114–                   the burden could be minimized,,
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–09894 Filed 5–8–18; 8:45 am]              94) transformed the Federal-aid                       without reducing the quality of the
                                             BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  highway program by establishing new                   collected information. The agency will
                                                                                                     requirements for transportation                       summarize and/or include your
                                                                                                     performance management (TPM) to                       comments in the request for OMB’s
                                             DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            ensure the most efficient investment of               clearance of this information collection.
                                                                                                     Federal transportation funds. Prior to
                                             Federal Highway Administration                                                                                  Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                                                                     MAP–21, there were no explicit
                                             [Docket No. FHWA–2018–0032]                             requirements for State DOTs to                        of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended;
                                                                                                     demonstrate how their transportation                  and 49 CFR 1.48.
                                             Agency Information Collection                           program supported national                              Issued On: May 3, 2018.
                                             Activities: Request for Comments for a                  performance outcomes. State DOTs were                 Michael Howell,
                                             New Information Collection                              not required to measure condition or
                                                                                                                                                           Information Collection Officer.
                                                                                                     performance, establish targets, assess
                                             AGENCY: Federal Highway                                                                                       [FR Doc. 2018–09872 Filed 5–8–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                     progress toward targets, or report on
                                             Administration (FHWA), DOT.                                                                                   BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
                                                                                                     condition or performance in a nationally
                                             ACTION: Notice and request for                          consistent manner that FHWA could use
                                             comments.                                               to assess the entire system. It has been
                                                                                                                                                             1 2nd National Performance Management
                                                                                                     difficult for FHWA to examine the
                                             SUMMARY:   The FHWA invites public                                                                            Measures Rule (PM2): Assessing Pavement
                                                                                                     effectiveness of the Federal-aid highway              Condition for National Highway Performance
                                             comments about our intention to request
                                                                                                     program as a means to address surface                 Program and Bridge Condition for National
                                             the Office of Management and Budget’s
                                                                                                     transportation performance at a national              Highway Performance Program; Assessing
                                             (OMB) approval for a new information
                                                                                                     level without States reporting on the                 Performance of National Highway System, etc. (RIN:
                                             collection, which is summarized below                                                                         2125–AF53) https://www.regulations.gov/
                                                                                                     above factors. The new TPM
                                             under Supplementary Information. We                                                                           contentStreamer?documentId=FHWA-2013-0053-
                                                                                                     requirements, as established by MAP–21                0222&contentType=pdf.
                                             are required to publish this notice in the
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                                                                                                     and FAST Act, change this paradigm                      3rd National Performance Management Measures
                                             Federal Register by the Paperwork
                                                                                                     and require states to measure condition               Rule (PM3): Assessing Performance of National
                                             Reduction Act of 1995.
                                                                                                     or performance, establish targets, assess             Highway System, Freight Movement on Interstate
                                             DATES: Please submit comments by July                   progress towards targets and report on                System, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
                                             9, 2018.                                                                                                      Improvement Program (RIN 2125–AF54) https://
                                                                                                     condition or performance.                             www.regulations.gov/
                                             ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                         State DOTs now must submit biennial                contentStreamer?documentId=FHWA-2013-0054-
                                             identified by DOT Docket ID Number                      performance reports (23 U.S.C. 150 (e)                8287&contentType=pdf.



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Document Created: 2018-05-09 03:17:57
Document Modified: 2018-05-09 03:17:57
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of submission deadline.
DatesSchedules must be submitted no later than May 17, 2018.
ContactBryan Bourgoin, System Operations Services, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, AJR-0, Room 300W, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone number: 202-267-0968; email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 21335 

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