Platinum Airlines, Inc.

Order 2008-3-11
OST-2005-21286 - Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - Interstate Charter Passenger

Issued and Served March 12, 2008

Order Revoking Interstate Certificate

By letter dated October 31, 2006, Platinum requested a 6-month extension, until May 1, 2007, to commence operations. The air carrier stated that it had encountered significant problems in preparing its manuals in accordance with guidelines specified by the FAA and therefore needed additional time.

By letter dated July 9, 2007, over two months after the extension had expired, Platinum requested an additional 6-month extension in order to complete the FAA certification process and begin flying operations. The air carrier stated that its Chief Executive Officer, Lee Depontes, had been out of the country and thus, unable to supervise the preparation of materials needed for FAA certification. However, shortly thereafter, the FAA South Florida Certificate Management Office advised us that it had terminated Platinum’s Part 121 application since the air carrier has failed to submit requested documentation and make satisfactory progress in the certification process. The FAA has further informed us that Platinum had not taken steps to renew its Part 121 application and reinitiate the certification process.

It is not the Department’s customary practice to grant requests for extensions from the provisions of section 204.7 unless an air carrier has established “good cause” for such action. In showing good cause, we expect an air carrier to provide adequate evidence that it still meets the Department’s fitness criteria and that it had completed nearly all the steps to commence operations (i.e., has the necessary personnel, financial resources, and aircraft). In light of the information before us, we find no basis at this time to grant Platinum the requested extension.

Under these circumstances, and in accordance with section 204.7 of our rules, we find it appropriate to revoke Platinum’s certificate authority for reason of dormancy. This action is without prejudice to the company’s filing for new certificate authority in the future.

By: Todd Homan