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71106 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No.

236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Proposed Rules

Flight Standards Certificate Holding District and administrative process has become additional citizenship restrictions that
Office. very apparent. Indeed, public comment had been established administratively
Related Information in this docket has only served to over the course of decades in individual
(m) EASA airworthiness directive 2006–
confirm the Department’s growing fitness cases and that in our view are
0223, dated July 21, 2006, also addresses the concern that the current regime is so anachronistic, overly complex, and
subject of this AD. unduly complex and burdensome that it unduly burdensome. Accordingly, the
needlessly inhibits the movement of net result of our proposal would have
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
capital that otherwise would flow into been to end a long-standing, extraneous
November 24, 2006.
the U.S. airline industry and thus administrative prohibition against
Kalene C. Yanamura,
interferes with the legitimate needs of foreign investors having even a
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane U.S. carriers to attract strategic investors ‘‘semblance’’ of control over airline
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. commercial decisions; the revised
from overseas markets. The Department
[FR Doc. E6–20851 Filed 12–7–06; 8:45 am] notes that most of the American approach would have applied only to
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P economy has progressed well beyond investors whose home countries had
the antiquated notions that continue to open-skies agreements with the United
apply to the airline industry because of States and provided reciprocal
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION investment opportunities for U.S.
our administrative interpretations of the
current statute. In a modern, global citizens. The proposal would have
Office of the Secretary
industry such as aviation, we believe maintained the prohibition against
that the United States should not shut foreign citizen control of decisions on
14 CFR Part 399
its doors to foreign investment by corporate governance, safety, security,
[Docket No. OST–2003–15759] perpetuating archaic and time- and participation in the Civil Reserve
RIN: 2105–AD25 consuming administrative practices that Air Fleet program and other national
serve neither a statutory purpose nor an defense airlift programs (for simplicity,
Actual Control of U.S. Air Carriers identifiable policy interest of the United referred to as ‘‘CRAF’’ hereafter). To
States. ensure control by U.S. citizens, as an
Office of the Secretary, DOT.
AGENCY:
The Department had also proposed added measure we would have required
Withdrawal of certain proposed
ACTION: amendments to 14 CFR Part 204, the that any delegation of authority by U.S.
amendments. rules governing the data used in fitness citizens to foreign investors be fully
determinations, and invited comment revocable by the shareholders or board
SUMMARY: Current law requires that U.S. of directors.
citizens actually control each U.S. air on the procedures used in fitness cases.
The Department will publish a separate We provided several opportunities for
carrier, that U.S. citizens own or control interested parties to comment on the
at least 75 percent of the shareholders’ decision on those matters.
proposal, including a supplemental
voting interest, and that the president FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
and two-thirds of the directors and the William M. Bertram, Chief, Air Carrier that further clarified our proposed
managing officers must be U.S. citizens. Fitness Division (X–56), Office of modified interpretation of ‘‘actual
The Department interprets this law in Aviation Analysis, U.S. Department of control.’’ 71 FR 26425 (May 5, 2006). In
conducting initial and continuing Transportation, 400 7th Street, SW., the supplemental notice, we made
fitness reviews of U.S. air carriers. We Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366–9721. refinements to our proposal reflecting
are withdrawing a proposal to modify SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: further consultations with our Federal
by regulation the standards we apply in Aviation Administration (FAA), the
Introduction
those cases where ‘‘actual control’’ by Department of Homeland Security
U.S. citizens is at issue. Under Title 49 of the U.S. Code, only (DHS), and the Department of Defense
The proposal being withdrawn would ‘‘citizens’’ of the United States may (DOD). We also acknowledged requests
have narrowed the scope of our inquiry obtain certificate authority to provide by members of Congress, who wanted us
in such cases to those core matters air transportation within the United to provide time for more public
affecting compliance with U.S. States or operate as a U.S. air carrier on comment on the proposal and for
requirements affecting safety, security, international routes. (49 U.S.C. 41102 or Congressional hearings on the topic.
national defense and corporate 41103.) The Department proposed to The additional comments that we
governance. These rationalized modify its interpretation of ‘‘actual received in response to the SNPRM
standards for deciding whether U.S. control,’’ an element in the statutory confirmed our earlier determination that
citizens maintained ‘‘actual control’’ of definition of a citizen of the United the Department’s historic interpretation
a carrier would have applied only to States, 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(15), because it of the actual control requirement did
proposed transactions involving believes that modernizing its policies so not serve the public interest well.
investors whose countries have an open- as to allow more foreign investment in During the rulemaking we also
skies air services agreement with the U.S. carriers would better reflect the proposed several technical changes to
United States and offer reciprocal realities of a global aviation industry, the rules governing the data for fitness
investment opportunities to U.S. strengthen the U.S. air transportation determinations, 14 CFR Part 204. Those
citizens. Our interpretation of other system, and encourage other countries proposals were unopposed. We also
aspects of the statutory citizenship to open their own air services and requested public comment on the
requirement would have been investment markets. procedures used by us in resolving
unchanged. Our proposal would not have and citizenship issues. We will publish our
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Although we are withdrawing the could not have altered the statutory test decision on those proposals in a
current proposal, we will continue to for citizenship nor was it an attempt to separate rulemaking document.
consider other ways to rationalize and do so. We stated our intention to
simplify our domestic investment continue vigorous enforcement of the Background
regime. The need for greater certainty statute’s express requirements. We did A firm may not be certificated as an
and transparency in our requirements propose, however, to eliminate certain air carrier to operate within the United

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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Proposed Rules 71107

States or as a U.S. carrier on individual cases, based on the facts and capital markets permitted by law;
international routes unless it is a citizen circumstances of each case, and did not second, that our historical interpretation
of the United States. 49 U.S.C. 40102(a). establish a specific definition of ‘‘actual of the term ‘‘actual control’’ has failed
We examine carrier citizenship control’’ through any rulemaking. We to keep pace with the changes in the
primarily in two situations. First, when have continually modified our global economy; and third, that in order
a firm applies for authority to operate as interpretation over time in light of to provide U.S. carriers with more
a U.S. carrier, we conduct an initial changing conditions. See 71 FR 27437, flexibility to compete in the global
fitness review, which necessarily citing Northwest Airlines Acquisition by economy, we should not maintain an
includes a review of the carrier’s Wings Holdings, Order 91–1–41 interpretation of ‘‘actual control’’ that is
citizenship. We conduct initial fitness (January 23, 1991), and a more recent more restrictive than necessary to meet
reviews through adjudicatory decision enabling Hawaiian Airlines to statutory requirements. 71 FR 26427–
proceedings for which a public record is complete its reorganization with some 26429; 70 FR 67393–67394. In sum, we
maintained in our docket. Second, we foreign investment. acted on the policy that we should
conduct a continuing fitness review if a Neither the Department nor the Board remove unnecessary restrictions on U.S.
carrier undergoes a substantial change has administered the actual control carriers seeking access to global capital
in ownership, operations, or requirement in a way that barred U.S. markets.
management. We usually conduct carriers from having substantial In 2003, we issued an Advance Notice
continuing fitness investigations commercial relationships with foreign of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that
without a public proceeding and thus carriers and other foreign firms. For sought comment on our standards and
without a public record or an instance, we have held that a U.S. procedures for determining whether
opportunity for public comment. In airline continued to satisfy the actual U.S. citizens actually control a carrier.
some continuing fitness cases, we may control requirement when it had an 68 FR 44675 (July 30, 2003). After
decide to use procedures that are more alliance relationship with a foreign considering the comments, we issued a
public so that there will be a public airline that necessarily enabled the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
record and an opportunity for public foreign partner airline to influence the concerning our interpretation of ‘‘actual
comment. We may amend, modify, U.S. airline’s commercial decisions. control’’ and use of informal procedures
suspend, or revoke the carrier’s license, Acquisition of Northwest Airlines by in most continuing fitness reviews. 70
or begin an enforcement action if a Wings Holdings, Inc., Order 92–11–27 FR 67389 (November 7, 2005). The
carrier no longer meets the citizenship (November 16, 1992), at 16–17. Department proposed to update our
test. See 71 FR 26426–26427. The Nonetheless, the Department’s and interpretation of ‘‘actual control’’ so as
statute defines the requirements for the Board’s interpretations of ‘‘actual to end restrictions on foreign
United States citizenship. 49 U.S.C. control,’’ by effectively prohibiting involvement that, in our view,
40102(a)(15)(C). For many years that foreign investors from enjoying any needlessly interfere with the ability of
statute required only that the president meaningful participation in the U.S. carriers to access international
and at least two-thirds of the board of decision-making of U.S. airlines, has left capital markets and thus to compete
directors and other managing officers be foreign investors with a very limited effectively in the global marketplace.
citizens of the United States, and that at ability to protect their interests as Under our proposal, U.S. citizens would
least 75 percent of the voting interest be minority investors. We at times remain in control of the carrier through
owned or controlled 1 by persons that implemented the ‘‘actual control’’ their authority over corporate
are citizens of the United States. Our requirement as barring foreign investors governance and those areas of airline
predecessor agency in administering from having any ‘‘semblance’’ of operations subject to significant
this statute, the Civil Aeronautics Board control, which effectively relegated government regulation: Safety, security,
(the Board), created an additional them to being passive investors, unable and CRAF participation. This
requirement not then required by the to participate in carrier commercial modification would apply only if the
text of the statute: the requirement that decisions that affected the value of their foreign investors’ home country had an
U.S. citizens must ‘‘actually control’’ own investment. open-skies air services agreement with
each U.S. carrier. Willye Peter Three years ago Congress amended the United States and, further, provided
Daetwyler, d.b.a. Interamerican Air the citizenship definition by expressly investment reciprocity for U.S. citizens
Freight Co., Foreign Permit, 58 CAB 118, adding an actual control requirement to wishing to invest in that country’s
120–121 (1971). the statute. As a result, the statute airlines, or where the United States’
In order to determine citizenship to provides that a corporation can only be international obligations otherwise
verify compliance with the actual a citizen of the United States if it is required the same approach.
control requirement, both the ‘‘under the actual control of citizens of
the United States.’’ Vision 100—Century Supplemental Notice of Proposed
Department and the Board have
of Aviation Reauthorization Act, P.L. Rulemaking
employed a fact-specific method of
inquiry. See 71 FR 26437, citing 68 FR 108–176, § 807, 117 Stat. 2490 (2004). We issued a Supplemental Notice of
44675, 44676 (July 30, 2003). Each Congress chose not to define ‘‘actual Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) to
decision considered the ‘‘totality of control.’’ address comments received on the
circumstances’’ of the airline’s NPRM, and to propose additional
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking refinements to the proposal in order to
organization, including its capital
structure, management, and contractual We proposed our modified definitively clarify that U.S. citizens
relationships, in determining whether interpretation of ‘‘actual control’’ in would still retain actual control of U.S.
U.S. citizens actually control a carrier. order to facilitate efforts by U.S. airlines carriers under the Department’s
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We developed our policies on to remain competitive in the global proposal. 71 FR 26425 (May 5, 2006).
interpreting the actual control airline industry. We grounded our The SNPRM retained our proposal to
requirement through our decisions in proposal on three premises: first, that in allow carriers to delegate decision-
view of the changes taking place in the making responsibilities to foreign
1 We and the Board have always interpreted this global economy, U.S. air carriers should citizens (except for organizational
part of the statute as ‘‘owned and controlled.’’ have the broadest access to the global documents, safety, security, and CRAF

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71108 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Proposed Rules

participation matters). However, we Summary of Comments interests. See, e.g., FedEx Comments at
added language to make clear that such We invited comments on the proposal 7–9; ACI–NA Comments at 4; DePaul
delegations would have to be revocable as refined by our SNPRM. We received Comments at 4; US–BIAS Comments.
by the board of directors or 21 comments on the SNPRM from Some commenters contended that our
shareholders—whose votes would be carriers, labor parties, and industry proposals were too restrictive; Delta, for
controlled by U.S. citizens. The right to associations, and three comments from example, asserted that the revocation
revoke delegations of management individuals. requirement was ‘‘flatly inconsistent’’
authority, we felt, was intrinsic to the The majority of commenters with our goal of encouraging foreign
requirement that U.S. citizens maintain supported the policy change as a way to investment. Delta Comments at 6–7.
actual control of the carrier. We further strengthen the U.S. airline industry and Our Final Decision
proposed in the SNPRM to broaden the encourage the liberalization of
scope of decision-making in the areas of We have decided to withdraw the
international aviation. The Department proposal on interpretation of ‘‘actual
safety, security, and CRAF participation received general support for its
that must remain under the actual control.’’ We still believe there are
proposed changes from Airports Council significant benefits to be realized by
control of U.S. citizens. The proposed International— Europe (ACI), Airports
revisions would unequivocally ensure liberalizing and rationalizing our
Council International— North America domestic investment regime for U.S. air
that safety and security decisions (ACI–NA), Association of European
generally, not just those related to FAA carriers. Nonetheless, our policy could
Airlines (AEA), bmi, Delta Air Lines gain from additional public insight into
and TSA safety and security (Delta), DePaul University College of
requirements, as well as all decisions on the practical advantages and drawbacks
Law International Aviation Law of particular administrative reforms.
national defense airlift commitments, Institute (DePaul), Federal Express We maintain that our past
not just CRAF commitments, remained (FedEx), Hawaiian Airlines (Hawaiian), administration of the ‘‘actual control’’
firmly under the actual control of U.S. International Air Transport Association requirement is obsolete and the notion
citizens. Our refinement of our (IATA), United Air Lines (United), has needlessly precluded foreign
proposals on safety, security, and CRAF United Parcel Service (UPS), United investment in the U.S. airline industry
participation reflected as well our States Airports for Better International to its detriment. In the Department’s
discussions with the FAA, DHS, TSA, Air Service (USA–BIAS), U.S. Airways, view, retention of the anachronistic
and DOD. and the Washington Airports Task Force administrative standard for determining
We determined that we have the (WATF). actual control serves no discernible
authority to interpret the statutory Other commenters—notably the policy interest of the United States.
definition of ‘‘actual control,’’ because Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Instead, it has prevented U.S. carriers
we are responsible for administering it; Association (AMFA), Air Line Pilots from entering into sound and desirable
that authority enables us to modify our Association (ALPA), British Airways, business relationships with foreign
interpretations when changing industry Continental Airlines (Continental), allies ‘‘relationships that U.S. corporate
conditions and policies require doing Independent Pilots Association (IPA), management concluded would benefit
so; and our proposed modified Transportation Trades Department their carrier, their employees and
interpretation would be consistent with AFL–CIO (TTD), and Virgin Atlantic shareholders. See, e.g., FedEx
the language and purpose of the statute. Airways (Virgin Atlantic)—opposed our Comments at 2; Atlas & Polar Comments
We further stated that we should change proposal, claiming that the proposed on NPRM at 3; United Comments at 3.
our interpretation when the past rule would be unlawful, impracticable, We continue to believe we need a way
interpretation has become inconsistent ineffective in achieving the desired to enable strategic investors ‘‘interested
with commercial developments and the result, or harmful to the airline industry in long-term gain, not short-term
public policy goals set by our statute, 49 and its unionized employees. arbitrage—to participate more
U.S.C. 40101(a). Finally, we noted that Both supporters and opponents of our meaningfully in the decision-making at
neither the statute nor its legislative proposal asserted that the rule, as U.S. carriers, as such investors would
history indicated that Congress had proposed, provided inadequate ‘‘more likely be concerned about a U.S.
intended to freeze our earlier guidance to carriers and potential airline’s product quality, market
interpretations of ‘‘actual control.’’ 71 foreign investors and that our final strategy, and its capital reinvestment
FR 26436–26439. decision should provide examples of the plans than short-term investors who
After we issued the SNPRM, the kind of business relationships that view airlines merely as trading
Aviation Subcommittee of the Senate would or would not be permitted by a vehicles.’’ 71 FR 26428. An up-to-date
Committee on Commerce, Science, and final rule. See, e.g., AEA Comments at approach towards administering the
Transportation held a hearing on our 4; British Airways Comments at 3–4; ‘‘actual control’’ requirement that takes
proposal on May 9, 2006. The Aviation IATA Comments at 6; Virgin Atlantic into account the realities of modern
Subcommittee of the House Comments at 5–6; ACI Comments at 2. capital markets would permit our
Transportation and Infrastructure Other commenters asserted that it was carriers to catch up with increasingly
Committee had held a hearing on our not clear whether our proposed competitive and financially stronger
proposal on February 8, 2006, based on revocability requirement—the foreign airlines in terms of integrating
the NPRM. Jeffrey N. Shane, the requirement that a U.S. carrier have the their operations and services with those
Department’s Under Secretary for practicable ability to revoke any of marketing partners. It would also
Policy, testified at both hearings. delegation of decision-making authority enable investments abroad by U.S. air
Several members of Congress have to a foreign investor—would be carriers and the formation of durable
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written letters to the Secretary that consistent with standard commercial business relationships with foreign
contend that our proposal is unwise and practices in other industries, which carriers, such as Continental, for
a significant departure from what they make a firm’s ability to revoke a contract example, enjoys with COPA, a leading
perceive as existing precedent. These with its investors subject to conditions Latin American airline. Continental
concerns were also raised at hearings limiting the ability to revoke in order to Airlines, SEC Report on Form 10–Q
and in proposed legislation. protect the investors’ legitimate (July 21, 2006) at 34. In our view, we

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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Proposed Rules 71109

should encourage additional foreign Recommended Practices that SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
investment in the U.S. airline industry, correspond to this withdrawal notice. COMMISSION
give U.S. carriers freedom in developing
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 17 CFR Part 240
beneficial business relationships across
1995
borders and eliminate outdated [Release No. 34–54863; File No. S7–19–06]
restrictions on business conduct. The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Our proposal has become of 1955 (the Act) is intended, among RIN 3235–AJ41
controversial, as to both the questions of other things, to curb the practice of
whether our interpretation of ‘‘actual imposing unfunded Federal mandates Proposed Amendments to Municipal
control’’ should be changed and on State, local, and tribal governments. Securities Disclosure
whether our specific proposal will Title II of the Act requires each Federal AGENCY: Securities and Exchange
effectively accomplish our objectives. In agency to prepare a written statement Commission (‘‘Commission’’).
addition, as noted, letters sent by assessing the effects of any Federal ACTION: Proposed rule.
members of Congress have urged the mandate in a proposed or final agency
Department not to adopt the proposal rule that may result in an expenditure SUMMARY: The Commission is
without further discussion. In this of $100 million or more (adjusted publishing for comment proposed
particular instance, we have concluded annually for inflation) in any one year amendments to a rule under the
that the expressions of concern support by State, local, and tribal governments, Securities Exchange Act of 1934
the concept that more public discussion in the aggregate, or by the private sector; (‘‘Exchange Act’’) relating to municipal
of the underlying issues is warranted. such a mandate is deemed to be a securities disclosure which would
By withdrawing the proposal, we will ‘‘significant regulatory action.’’ This delete references to the Municipal
be free to engage in broad-ranging withdrawal notice is not a final or Securities Rulemaking Board (‘‘MSRB’’)
dialogue without the constraints of a proposed rule. The requirements of Title as a recipient of material event notices
specific rulemaking proposal. II of the Act, therefore, do not apply. filed by or on behalf of issuers of
Rulemaking Analyses and Notices Executive Order 13132, Federalism municipal securities or other obligated
persons.
Regulatory Flexibility Act This action has been analyzed in
DATES: Comments should be received on
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) accordance with the principles and
or before January 8, 2007.
(5 U.S.C. 601–612), as amended by the criteria contained in Executive Order
13132, dated August 4, 1999 (64 FR ADDRESSES: Comments may be
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, requires federal 43255). This withdrawal notice does not submitted by any of the following
agencies, as part of each rule, to have a substantial direct effect on, or methods:
consider regulatory alternatives that significant federalism implications for Electronic Comments
minimize the impact on small entities the States, nor would it limit the
• Use the Commission’s Internet
while achieving the objectives of the policymaking discretion of the States.
comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
rulemaking. Because we are It will not directly preempt any State
rules/proposed.shtml); or
withdrawing our proposal, we are not law or regulation, or impose burdens on
• Send an e-mail to rule-
adopting any final rule requiring a the States. This action will have not a
comments@sec.gov. Please include File
regulatory flexibility analysis. significant effect on the States’ ability to
No. S7–19–06 on the subject line; or
execute traditional State governmental • Use the Federal eRulemaking Portal
Trade Impact Assessments
functions. The agency has therefore (http://www.regulations.gov). Follow the
The Trade Agreement Act of 1979 determined that this withdrawal notice
prohibits federal agencies from instructions for submitting comments.
does not have sufficient federalism
establishing any standards or engaging implications to warrant either the Paper Comments
in related activities that create preparation of a federalism summary • Send paper comments in triplicate
unnecessary obstacles to the foreign impact statement or consultations with to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary,
commerce of the United States. State and local governments. Securities and Exchange Commission,
Legitimate domestic objectives, such as
safety, are not considered unnecessary Paperwork Reduction Act 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
obstacles. The statute also requires 20549–1090.
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
consideration of international standards All submissions should refer to File No.
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) requires
and, where appropriate, that U.S. S7–19–06. This file number should be
federal agencies to obtain approval from
standards be compatible. The included on the subject line if e-mail is
the Office of Management and Budget
Department has assessed the potential used. To help us process and review
(OMB) for each collection of
effect of this withdrawal of the proposed your comments more efficiently, please
information they conduct, sponsor, or
rule and has determined that it will use only one method. The Commission
require through regulation. Because this
have no effect on any trade-sensitive will post all comments on the
is a withdrawal notice, it will not
activity. Commission’s Internet Web site (http://
impose any additional requirements.
www.sec.gov/rules/proposed.shtml).
International Compatibility Thus, there is no change in the
Comments are also available for public
paperwork collection, as it currently
In keeping with U.S. obligations inspection and copying in the
exists.
under the Convention on International Commission’s Public Reference Room,
Civil Aviation, it is the Department’s Issued in Washington, DC on December 5, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
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policy to comply with International 2006. 20549. All comments received will be
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Andrew B. Steinberg, posted without change; we do not edit
Standards and Recommended Practices Assistant Secretary for Aviation and personal identifying information from
to the maximum extent practicable. The International Affairs. submissions. You should submit only
Department has determined that there [FR Doc. 06–9603 Filed 12–5–06; 12:39 pm] information that you wish to make
are no ICAO Standards and BILLING CODE 4910–62–P available publicly.

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