 

	DOCKET OST-2000-8353

This serves as interim notice to the public of the action described
below, taken orally by the Department official indicated; the confirming
order or other decision document will be issued as soon as possible.

Applicant:  Volga-Dnepr J.S. Cargo Airline			Date Filed:  November 17,
2000

Relief requested:  Exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C. section 40109(g) to
permit it to operate one one-way cargo charter flight between Tulsa, OK,
and Philadelphia, PA, on or about November 21, 2000, using its AN-124
aircraft, to transport an oversized cylindrical pressure vessel on
behalf of Sunoco, Inc.  The applicant stated that the vessel has been
specially fabricated for Sunoco and is a crucial part of its refining
process, and that timely delivery and installation will help to avoid
possible heating oil shortages.  It further stated that surface
transportation was not feasible because of the time involved, the
adverse effect a long road trip could have on the vessel, and the
vessel’s size; that transportation by air was the only viable option;
and that because of the size of the vessel transportation on
U.S.-carrier aircraft was not possible. 

Applicant representative:  Glenn Wicks  202-457-7790

Responsive pleadings:  Volga-Dnepr served its application on those U.S.
carriers operating large all-cargo aircraft.  Each carrier indicated
that it did not have aircraft available to conduct the proposed
operation, and that it had no comment or did not oppose grant of the
requested authority to Volga-Dnepr.

	DISPOSITION

Action:  Approved							Action date:  November 20, 2000

Effective dates of authority granted:   November 21-24, 2000

Basis for approval:  We found that the application met all the relevant
criteria of 49 U.S.C. section 40109(g) for the grant of an exemption of
this type, and that the grant was required in the public interest. 
Moreover, based on the representations of the U.S. carriers, we
concluded that no U.S. carrier had aircraft available which could be
used to conduct the operation at issue here.  We also found that grant
of Volga-Dnepr’s request would prevent undue hardship to the cargo and
Sunoco.

Except to the extent exempted/waived, this authority is subject to
standard exemption conditions and to the condition that Volga-Dnepr
comply with an FAA-approved flight routing for the authorized flight.

Action taken by:	FRANCISCO J. SANCHEZ

			Assistant Secretary for Aviation 

			   and International Affairs

    NOTICE OF ACTION TAKEN

