Northwest Airlines, Inc.

OST-2007-27069 - Certificate - US-China All-Cargo Frequencies

January 23, 2007

Application and Motion for Shortened Answer Date

Northwest Airlines, Inc. hereby applies for allocation of one of the three U.S.-China all-cargo frequencies that are currently available in the Department’s unallocated pool. As a result of the current bilateral interpretation of the Civil Aviation Administration of China concerning frequency accounting and beyond change-of-gauge provisions, Northwest requires an allocation of one additional frequency to operate its planned pattern of services between the United States, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and beyond. Following the grant of this application, there will still be two surplus frequencies available for U.S. carrier all-cargo services.

Due to the urgent need to submit and have its all-cargo schedules approved by the CAAC, Northwest requests expedited action on this application. Northwest will conduct a poll of carrier representatives served with this application to determine if there are any objections to Northwest’s request. In the event any carrier wishes to file an answer, Northwest moves the Department to establish a shortened answer date of 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, and a reply date of noon on Thursday, January 25.

There are currently three surplus frequencies that remain available and unallocated in the Department’s all-cargo pool. By Order 2006-7-9, the Department invited applications from all eligible U.S. carriers for the 15 all-cargo frequencies that become available on March 25, 2007. The frequencies were undersubscribed, and by Notice of Action Taken dated August 24, 2006, the Department awarded 12 of the 15 available frequencies on an uncontested basis.

Northwest’s planned 2007 summer season all-cargo schedule involves 7 flights to and from Shanghai, with beyond service to Tokyo, and 7 flights to and from Guangzhou. Northwest’s planned Shanghai schedule is substantially identical to that it has operated for the past two years, and Northwest’s 2007 Guangzhou schedule will increase from four to seven weekly flights using the recently allocated frequencies.

Counsel: Northwest, Alexander Van der Bellen, 202-842-4184, sascha.vanderbellen@nwa.com

January 24, 2007

Re: Polling Results

This is to confirm that Northwest has completed a poll of all carrier representatives in the above-captioned matter. There are no objections to Northwest's application or our request for expedited action

Counsel: Northwest, Alexander Van der Bellen, 202-842-4184

Filed January 23, 2007 | Issued January 25, 2007

Notice of Action Taken

Under the terms of the June 18, 2004 Protocol amending the U.S.‑China aviation agreement, this frequency becomes available for use on March 25, 2007. The allocation of this frequency will remain in effect indefinitely, subject to conditions.

We note that the allocation of this U.S.‑China all‑cargo frequency to Northwest Airlines is without prejudice to any current or future legal positions that the United States may take in regard to the U.S.‑China aviation agreement.

Northwest notes that following the Department action allocating available 2007 all-cargo frequencies in the U.S-China market, there are three all-cargo frequencies available and as yet unallocated for services beginning March 25, 2007. (See Notice of Action Taken in Docket OST-2006-25275, dated August 24, 2006.)

By: Paul Gretch