Astar hearing wraps up

Astar hearing wraps up    The Department of Transportation hearing into the complaint by FedEx and United Parcel Service that Astar Air Cargo is controlled by foreign-owned companies DHL Express and Deutsche Post contrary in violation of U.S. aviation law came to a close Oct. 14.
   In closing arguments, Astar's legal team reiterated that the sale of DHL Airways to a group of American investors removes any doubt about foreign ownership and that Astar's business decisions are made completely independent of DHL, its primary customer.
   Burton Kolko, the administrative law judge handling the case, asked Department of Transportation policymakers for at least an extra month in order to issue a recommendation on whether Astar should retain its operating certificate. The DOT has requested a recommendation by Dec. 1, but the hearing went longer than expected. Kolko asked for an extension until Jan. 2 or longer to allow a federal district court to rule on orders and subpoenas for Astar and DHL to produce certain documents related to the sale of DHL Airways.