Avior Airlines, C.A.

OST-2007-27912 - Exemption - US-Venezuela

April 12, 2007

Application for an Exemption

Avior hereby applies for an exemption to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail between Venezuela and the United States as more fully described below. Avior requests that this application be processed through non-hearing procedures in accordance with 14 C.F.R. § 302.207 of the Department's Rules of Practice.

Pursuant to the Department's Notice implementing its regulatory streamlining initiative, Avior previously filed an application requesting a foreign air carrier permit for U.S.-Venezuela operating authority. See Docket OST-2006-25982. Avior is filing this exemption request for Valencia-Miami service pending DOT approval of Avior's permit application.

Avior requests an exemption in order to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail between Valencia, Venezuela on the one hand and Miami, Florida on the other hand, either directly or via intermediate points in other countries, with or without stopovers. For its proposed services to Miami, Avior intends to operate Boeing 737-200 aircraft with seating capacity for 108 passengers in a two-class seating configuration (12 business, 96 economy). Service between Valencia and Miami will be operated three times weekly. Avior intends to commence Valencia-Miami service on May 1, 2007. Avior is requesting an exemption for a two-year period.

Counsel: Zuckert Scoutt, Malcolm Benge, 202-298-8660, mlbenge@zsrlaw.com

April 27, 2007

Answer of American Airlines

American Airlines, Inc. hereby answers in opposition to the application submitted on April 12, 2007 by Avior Airlines, C.A., a carrier of Venezuela, for an exemption to engage in combination service between Miami and Valencia, Venezuela.

Avior's application should not be considered until the Government of Venezuela permits American to engage in combination service between Miami and Valencia. American's service is fully consistent with the U.S.-Venezuela Air Transport Agreement, as amended. The Department granted an exemption to American to serve the Miami-Valencia route by Notice of Action Taken in OST-2006-26387 on December 8, 2006. American duly sought authorization from the Government of Venezuela, but our application in Venezuela remains pending.

In these circumstances, American objects to Avior's application, and urges the Department to withhold action in this docket until the Government of Venezuela has approved American's Miami-Valencia service.

Counsel: American, Carl Nelson, 202-496-5647, carl.nelson@aa.com