US India Chamber of Commerce DFW

5930 LBJ Freeway, Suite 310

Dallas, TX 75240

May 13, 2015

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary Foxx:

Re: Request for comments on preserving Open Skies and ensuring competitive choice for

consumers

Docket No. DOS-2015-0016

Docket No. DOT-OST-2015-0082

Docket No. DOC-2015-0001

We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the importance of the US’s longstanding Open

Skies Policy to the North Texas economy, jobs, and global connectivity as it relates to the IndoAmerican community. We believe it is imperative the Obama Administration's decision in this

matter be guided by broader economic interests which include the United States’ trade

relationship with countries including India.

Indo-American businesses and households operating or residing in the US have grown and

flourished successfully over the last several years. In North Texas alone, more than 150,000

India-Americans have settled and are adding to the tax base. As a result, we have seen

expansions of Indian-owned businesses as well as an explosion in the number of new IndoAmerican owned businesses. Further, we have also seen significant increases in the number of

American businesses doing business in India or with India. Trade volumes have reached all time

highs. All of this trade has benefited the North Texas economy in significant ways. 

These companies and households have a vested interest in ensuring that air travel is convenient

and cost-effective. Airlines, including many of the international carriers, operating under the

current Open Skies Policy, provide valuable new services to Indian-American community

conveniently connecting businesses and families in several key Indian destinations not

previously served by other carriers. As it relates to the Indo-American business community,

these carriers have come in to an underserved market and have provided excellent business and

economy service.
Just a few of the benefits of these airlines include low travel costs resulting in Indian businesses

expanding operations to the US thereby employing hundreds and thousands of Americans adding

to consumers to our economy and revenue to our tax base. Further, increased options have

allowed for ease of scheduling and travel for business travelers. Limits on airlines’ ability to

open up new markets to our community and to the broader U.S. economy would cause profound

economic damage.

Additionally, emerging markets in India and other parts of Asia represent vast new opportunities

for businesses currently doing business in North Texas. Easy access to these destinations

through DFW International Airport represents a valuable economic opportunity that our

community cannot afford to lose. As such, we believe that restrictions or excessive regulations

on carriers’ ability to operate according to free competition will raise costs for consumers and

limit their options. 

We believe that the Open Skies Policy as it currently stands provides the most valuable

economic benefits to our community and our country. We sincerely appreciate the Department

of Transportation’s willingness to take comment from the business community.

If you have any questions regarding this letter, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at

214-346-9559 or email us at info@usicoc.org.

Sincerely,

Neel Gonuguntla, President

US India Chamber of Commerce DFW