Served: August 5, 2004

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Issued by the Department of Transportation

on the 5th day of August, 2004

INTRA ALASKA BUSH SERVICE MAIL RATES

	

Docket OST-2003-14694





NOTICE

On July 22, 2004, pursuant to Rule 302.11, the Department granted the
Consolidated Carriers an extension until August 9, 2004, to submit
comments to Order 2004-6-4, establishing linehaul mail rates for Part
135 carriers.  On July 15, the Department issued Order 2004-7-11,
requesting comments by August 16 on the new intra-Alaska terminal mail
rate.  

On July 29, 2004, Peninsula Airways requested that the filing deadline
for response to all of the bush mail orders be extended to August 20. 
Peninsula says it needs the additional time to complete its analysis of
the many complex and inter-related aspects of the Department’s
proposed new rate-making policies, and such an extension will facilitate
the issuance of a comprehensive and well-reasoned decision by the
Department.  Peninsula further notes that the proposed rates are already
in effect, and the requested extension of time will not prejudice any
party.  

We have received no objections to Peninsula’s request.  Procedurally,
at this stage in the process it should be simpler to put all of the
inter-related issues on the same procedural time frame.  In addition,
there is an informal meeting among the parties scheduled for August 19. 
The results of that meeting may influence parties’ positions.  For
these reasons, we will extend the initial filing deadline for all three
linehaul rates (Part 121, Part 135 and Amphibious) and the terminal
rate to September 3, 2004.  

By:

KARAN K. BHATIA

Assistant Secretary for Aviation

    and International Affairs

(SEAL)

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