Order 2001-1-10 - O'Hare Slot Exemptions - Granting Request of Sprit Airlines

Order 2001-1-10 - O'Hare Slot Exemptions - Granting Request of Sprit Airlines

America West Airlines, Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc./Legend Airlines, Inc./National Airlines, Inc./Sun Country Airlines, Inc. and Spirit Airways, Inc.

Order 2001-1-10
OST-2000-7180
OST-2000-7198
OST-2000-7134
OST-1999-5521
OST-2000-7284
OST-2000-8330

Issued January 17, 2001
Served January 17, 2001

Order

Slot Exemptions at Chicago O'Hare - Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century

We have decided to grant Spirit's request for four O'Hare slot exemptions for nonstop Myrtle Beach service by reassigning the four O'Hare slot exemptions awarded to Legend by Order 2000-5-20. This action will not preclude Legend from reapplying for these four slot exemptions plus additional slot exemptions that the carrier might require. As we noted in Order 2000-5-20, qualified applicants such as Legend may apply for O'Hare slot exemptions under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. § 41714(i).

Moreover, we note that under the terms of 49 U. S.C § 41717(a), effective July 1, 200 1, the period of slot controlled operations at O'Hare will narrow from the current 6:45 a.m.-9:15 p.m. period to a much more limited 2:45 p.m.-8:14 p.m. period and under the provisions of 49 U.S.C § 41715(a)(1), effective July 1, 2002, the High Density Rule (Subparts K and S of Part 93 of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations pursuant to 49 U.S. C. § 41714 (c)) will no longer be in effect for O'Hare operations. These statutory provisions will make additional O'Hare access available to Legend.

As noted in Order 2000-5-20, Spirit certified in accordance with 14 C. F. R. 302.4(b), that it met the statutory criteria as a new entrant or I imited incumbent; i.e., that it and any affiliates pursuant to § 41717(k) hold or operate (or held or operated since December 16, 1985) fewer than 20 slots and slot exemptions at Chicago's O'Hare airport. In the instant application Spirit reaffirms that it operates only eight slot exemptions and that it will operate Stage 3 compliant aircraft. Nonetheless, to be consistent, we will require that Spirit certify that its proposed operations comply with the requirements outlined in Order 2000-4-15.

We find that grant of Spirit's request would improve competition in the Myrtle Beach- O'Hare market by providing new, lower-fare offerings and by operating additional service in a market with a strong, leisure-fare component. In addition, given the loss of Vanguard's service in the Midway-Myrtle Beach market, we agree that Spirit's proposal would significantly address a potential service shortfall in the overall Chicago-Myrtle Beach market.

By: Francisco Sanchez