Order 98-4-21 - SLOT EXEMPTIONS AT CHICAGO O’HARE AIRPORT

Order 98-4-21

Applications of TRANS STATES AIRLINES, INC. / AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. / SIMMONS AIRLINES, INC. d/b/a AMERICAN EAGLE / ATLANTIC COAST AIRLINES, INC.

Order 98-4-21 | OST-97-3259 | OST-97-2368 | OST-97-2985 | OST-97-2970 | Issued and Served April 21, 1998

ORDER GRANTING AND DENYING APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS FOR RECONSIDERATION FOR SLOT EXEMPTIONS AT CHICAGO O’HARE AIRPORT AND DIRECTING PARTIES TO SHOW CAUSE

After considering applications for exemptions from 14 CFR Part 93, Subparts K and S for slots at Chicago O’Hare Airport filed by America West Airlines, Atlantic Coast Airlines, Simmons Airlines and Trans States Airlines, the Department has decided to grant five slot exemptions to America West for nonstop service between O’Hare and Phoenix, AZ; 16 slot exemptions to Atlantic Coast for nonstop service between O’Hare-and Charleston, WV, Springfield, MO, and Wilkes-Barre, PA; and 16 slot exemptions to Trans States for nonstop service between O’Hare and Chattanooga, TN, Roanoke, VA, and Tri-Cities, TN. Grant of the exemptions to Atlantic Coast and Trans States is conditioned on their being used solely for the markets designated in the carriers’ applications, with regional jet aircraft. We have also decided to grant, on an interim (six-month) basis, 16 slot exemptions to Simmons for specified Essential Air Service (EAS) operations, to replace slots that we are permitting Simmons, by this order, to use to implement nonstop regional jet services between O’Hare and Duluth, MN, Fayetteville, AR, Montgomery, AL, and Shreveport, LA. Grant of these exemptions to Simmons is conditioned on their being used solely to provide the specified EAS operations and on Simmons’ implementation of an equal-number of scheduled nonstop frequencies with regional jet aircraft between O’Hare and the cities designated above.

We will also direct interested parties to show cause why we should not extend the foregoing exemptions to Simmons on a permanent basis. Our action here supersedes our decision in Order 97-10-16 to the extent that that order granted Trans States eight slot exemptions to serve certain O’Hare markets on a two-year, experimental basis. We will deny the remainder of ACA’s, Simmons’ and Trans States’ applications to the extent that they contemplate service in other markets or a higher number of slot exemptions.

By: Charles Hunnicutt