Land-Air Express of New England Ltd., which  had been put out of service Dec. 29, has gotten the go-ahead from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to resume operations.

On Dec. 29, Land-Air received a rating of “unsatisfactory,” leading the FMCSA to prohibit the less-than-truckload carrier from operating.

"Based on a negotiated Safety Management Plan, and evidence of actions taken by the company to correct deficiencies in its safety management system, Land-Air’s rating has been upgraded to 'conditional,' and the out-of-service order lifted," according to a statement issued by FMCSA. As part of the negotiated agreement, FMCSA will closely monitor the carrier’s safety performance for the next two years.

In response to an email query from HDT earlier this week, FMCSA explained that in late October, following a compliance review, the carrier was notified of a “proposed unsatisfactory” safety rating. Carriers have 60 days to submit an acceptable corrective action plan, appeal or contest the proposed safety rating; that window closed Dec. 29, leading to the out-of-service order. Carriers may still appeal or contest the decision, or, as happened in this case, work to provide a corrective action plan acceptable to FMCSA.

The agency's announcement did not indicate the problems that led to the unsatisfactory rating.

Land-Air Express of New England is a Williston, Vt.-based regional carrier operating about 300 trucks, making it one of the largest companies put out of service by the FMCSA.

Note: Land-Air Express of New England is NOT connected with Land Air Express based in Bowling Green, Ky., a full-service expedited carrier offering service throughout the U.S. and Canada.