U.S. Certificated Air Carriers and Presidential Campaign Organizations

Issued August 20, 2003 | Served August 25, 2003

Order 2003-8-22
Undocketed

Order Granting Waivers | Word

The Presidential campaign charter service is specialized and tailored to the specific needs of the candidates. The security protection furnished by the Secret Service is provided by law, and the news coverage provided by the news media representatives accompanying the candidates provides a valuable service to the public. The President and Vice President are they only nationally-elected officials, so the need for the instant waiver in order to utilize air transportation in the conduct of the campaign is clear and unique. Therefore, we find that grant of the blanket waiver during the course of the 2004 primary and regular or general elections is in the public interest.

We will also at this time waive the requirements of section 212.4 of the Department's Economic Regulations to the extent necessary to permit U.S. certificated air carriers to operate charters to and/or from the 2004 Republican and Democratic National Conventions2 carrying State Delegates and alternates, members of state and national Republican and Democratic Committees traveling on official business to the conventions, and their immediate families. Authority will be granted also to permit members of the press to accompany the delegates on these charters.

By: Randall Bennett