Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 1.djvu/130

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114 STAT. 94 PUBLIC LAW 106-181—APR. 5, 2000 49 USC 41731 note. Deadline. 49 USC 41731 note. Deadline. "§ 41744. Preservation of basic essential air service at single carrier dominated hub airports "(a) IN GENERAL.—I f the Secretary of Transportation determines that extraordinary circumstances jeopardize the reliable performance of essential air service under this subchapter from a subsidized essential air service community to and from an essential airport facility, the Secretary may require an air carrier that has more than 60 percent of the total annual enplanements at the essential airport facility to take action to enable another air carrier to provide reliable essential air service to that community. Actions required by the Secretary under this subsection may include interline agreements, ground services, subleasing of gates, and the provision of any other service or facility necessary for the performance of satisfactory essential air service to that community. "(b) ESSENTIAL AIRPORT FACILITY DEFINED.— In this section, the term 'essential airport facility' means a large hub airport (as defined in section 41731) in the contiguous 48 States at which one air carrier has more than 60 percent of the total annual enplanements at that airport.". (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for subchapter II of chapter 417 is further amended by adding at the end the following: "41744. Preservation of basic essential air service at single carrier dominated hub airports.". SEC. 205. DETERMINATION OF DISTANCE FROM HUB AIRPORT. The Secretary may provide assistance under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, with respect to a place that is located within 70 highway miles of a hub airport (as defined by section 41731 of such title) if the most commonly used highway route between the place and the hub airport exceeds 70 miles. SEC. 206. REPORT ON ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE. (a) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall conduct an analysis of the difficulties faced by many smaller communities in retaining essential air service and shall develop a plan to facilitate the retention of such service. (b) EXAMINATION OF NORTH DAKOTA COMMUNITIES.—In conducting the analysis and developing the plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall pay particular attention to communities located in North Dakota. (c) REPORT.— Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report containing the analysis and plan described in subsection (a). SEC. 207. MARKETING PRACTICES. (a) REVIEW OF MARKETING PRACTICES THAT ADVERSELY AFFECT SERVICE TO SMALL OR MEDIUM COMMUNITIES. — Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review the marketing practices of air carriers that may inhibit the availability of quality, affordable air transportation services to small- and medium-sized communities, including— (1) marketing arrangements between airlines and travel agents; (2) code-sharing partnerships; (3) computer reservation system displays;