Condon & Forsyth’s regulatory experience dates back to the 1930’s when Cy Condon, O.B.E. obtained for Imperial Airways (the predecessor to BOAC and, later, British Airways) the first Foreign Air Carrier Permit issued to a foreign airline by the United States.
Since then, we have represented and counseled international and domestic air carriers and other clients in all areas of government regulation.
Our attorneys regularly advise the firm’s clients on regulatory matters involving the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration on such issues as code sharing, licensing, route applications, and regulatory compliance. We counsel air carriers and other clients on compliance with the requirements of the Passenger Service and Tarmac Delay regulations, website advertising, the Air Carrier Access Act and other legislation concerning the transportation of disabled passengers, as well as the Foreign Air Carrier Family Assistance Act. We also prepare our foreign airline clients and foreign governments for bilateral discussions on such issues as pricing, airport access, traffic share, fifth freedom rights, charters, open skies, and the antitrust aspects of alliances.
Our lawyers regularly represent airlines and pilots in investigations and enforcement proceedings before the NTSB, DOT, FAA and other federal regulatory agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Agriculture for alleged violations of laws relating to security, hazardous materials, advertising, immigration, customs regulations and fee audits. We also continually review and advise clients concerning the contents of their tariffs on file with the DOT, as well as their General Conditions of Carriage. Our attorneys also have negotiated code share agreements and filed antitrust applications on behalf of a number of air carriers.
With capabilities for electronic filing and decentralization of the handling of cases by the various governmental agencies, our lawyers are able to represent carriers and other clients in enforcement actions anywhere in the country.