OST-98-4824 / Air France / High Density Rule - Chicago O'Hare / Answer of Air France / December 21, 1998

Application of :

for exemption from the slot limitation regulations (FAR Part 93, Subparts K and S) at O'Hare International Airport

Societe Air France ("Air France") hereby moves for leave to file the incorporated answer to the December 17, 1998 response of American Airlines, Inc. ("American") in this docket.

Should American's December 17, 1998 motion be granted and the DOT consider the incorporated response, the Department should also grant Air France's motion herein and consider its answer to American's response, to complete the record.

Air France wishes to truncate this proceeding, rather than file documents back and forth, with American. We will, therefore, be brief in our answer.

Air France strongly reaffirms that it does not control, nor is it involved in, the COHOR process, any more than American controls, or is involved in, the reciprocal, FAA slot allocation process. Air France, thus, has no authority to discuss the status or slot allocation processes of COHOR.

Air France can simply refer to EC regulation 95/93, which sets forth rules for the allocation of slots within the EC. More specifically,

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articles 4 and 5 address the coordinator and coordination comity. A mere reading of those articles renders American's allegations pointless.

Air France is confident that, should the Department consider it necessary, it can obtain confirmation of the consistency of the slot allocation process for Paris airports, with EC regulations, from the relevant authorities.

Finally, Air France wishes again to state that its legitimate request for exemption relief is consistent with that which has been granted to other foreign air carriers at U.S. airports with available capacity. Any action granting American's request would contradict that settled Department slot allocation policy.

WHEREFORE, Societe Air France respectfully requests the Department to deny American's request and to grant the Air France application expeditiously.

Respectfully submitted,

V. Michael Straus

Counsel for Societe Air France

Washington, DC

December 21, 1998