News Digest DOT 15-15

The following press release was published by the U.S. Department of Transportation on Feb. 13, 2015. It is reproduced in full below.

BTS Treatment of Confidential Commercial Information. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is seeking comments on whether airframe and aircraft engine cost information from major U.S. airlines should be made public or should remain confidential. The period of confidentiality has expired for 12 airlines’ filings since the last comment period in 2004. At that time, two U.S. airlines that submitted this information, filed formal motions objecting to the public disclosure of their cost information and requested that the information be kept confidential for a period of 10 years. As a result, the confidential period was extended for an additional 10 years. BTS, following DOT regulations involving confidential commercial information, advised the 12 impacted airlines last week that the previous confidentiality request has expired. BTS informed the airlines that the cost data would be released to the public unless confidentiality is continued following a request made during the comment period. Comments may be submitted to the Federal Register at Docket OST-2014-0031-0005 . The comment period will expire on April 13. Contact: Dave Smallen: (202) 366-5568. DOT 15-15

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation