The Department of Transportation (DOT) is extending the collection of financial and operational data from large certificated air carriers through Form 41.
This data collection is crucial for setting and updating mail rates in Alaska, as it includes carrier aircraft operating expenses, traffic, and operational data.
The extension aims to ensure that mail service rates in Alaska reflect the actual costs incurred by carriers, thereby supporting the continued provision of mail services.
The collected data also fulfills international obligations by providing financial and statistical information to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The information helps assess air carriers’ financial fitness, ensuring they have the resources to operate without imposing risks on the public.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) uses this data for both statistical and non-statistical purposes, including regulatory and administrative matters.
This data-driven approach to rate setting may result in adjustments in mail service rates in local communities in Alaska.