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U&D«partm«it of Asslsfam Secratary ^°?.^!: ^i^^oJl^T' ^^ 

ItanipOrtatlon W«h.ngton. DC 20590 

Office of the Secretory 

o( Transportation 

MAR 0 3 2010 

The Honorable Mike Joharms ^ 

United States Senator ^_ "^ 

115 Railway Street, Suite C102 ^ [-^Z^ 

Scottsbluff, NE 69361 ~^ i' ^ 

•J ZZJ 

Dear Senator Johanns: -^ g 

Thank you for your letter of December 16,2009, enclosing an e-mail fix)m your constituent John 

Prestia. Mr, Prcslia's interest relates to a proposed transaction between US Airways and Delta 

Air Lines, by which Delta would exchange certain slot interests at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA) for certain US Airways slot interests at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Your 

letter asked that Mr. Prestia's statements be investigated and the information for a reply be 

forwarded to you. It was addressed to Megan Rosia, the former Assistant Administrator for 

Government and Industry Affairs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). That office has 

asked me to respond. 

Mr. Prestia urged that the proposed transaction be approved. He stated that New York is the 

largest city in the United States and that only the world's largest airline can provide the services 

that New York needs. 

On February 9, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a tentative determination 

approving the proposed transaction, but subject to certain conditions. It tentatively found that the 

public interest would best be served if the potential harm created by the increased concentration 

at the airports were counterbalanced by affording new opportunities for competition by new 

entrant and limited incumbent carriers. Specifically, the tentative finding would require 

divestiture of 14 pairs of slot interests at DCA, and 20 pairs of slot interests at LGA, to such 

carriers. 

The proposed determination was published in the Federal Register on February 18 (75 Fed. Reg. 

7306), with a closing date for comments from mtercsted persons of March 22,2010, After 

receipt and review of the comments, we will take such further action as appropriate. 

A copy of your letter, including the enclosure from Mr. Prestia, will be placed in the docket for 

the proceeding, FAA 2010-0109. That docket also contains a copy of the tentative determination 
and other relevant documents, should you and Mr. Prestia wish to follow developments in the 

matter. It is accessible through the Federal Government's regulations website, ^•* 

httD://www.regu)ations. gov. 

If I can provide further information or assistance, please feel free to call me. 

Sincerely yours. 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary 

for Aviation and International Affairs 
\i_i()(i2:4-(i(ii 

MK£J0HA-\.VS 

Itlnltcd States .Senate 

WASHINQTON. DC zosia 

. ^ /(^ ,n 6^1 20. 

DsarSir/Ma'am: 

The aiiacbod communication is sent for y^n-r consideration. Picas* investigase ihe steiements 

contained iherdn and for^-ard mc the neccssarx- informauon for reply, please direct your 

rcspoaw to my Constituent Sen*iccs Rei)nrscninti\-e using the contact jnformaiion provided 

below. 

Thank \'ou. 

Sincerely. 

>^;.£^_ ^•'^-' ^ 

.ATTN: Brandi McCaslin 

Coiutituem Services Representative 

(J.S. Se-'iaior Mike Jehanns 

115 Railn-ay Street, .Siiiic 0102 

ScoitKbluiXNE 69361 

Phone: O0S)65;-6032 

Email: branaijnccBsliiyguoh3nnK.$en.'it?.]!Ov 
\i-HHP:-i . 

From: "mikeJohanns@johanns.senate.gov" 

<mikejohanns@johanns.senate.gov> 

Date: 11/27/2009 11:27:03 AM 

To: "webmaiI@johanns-iq.senate.gov" <webmaiI@johanns-iq.senate.gov> 

Cc: 

Subject: Contact Senator Johanns 

John Prestia 

4506 North 193rd Avenue Circle 

Elkhom,NE 68022-5178 

November 27.2009 

The Honorable Mike Johanns 

United States Senate 

404 Russell Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510-2705 

Dear Senator Johanns: 

Please approve the New York City La Guardia Airport gate swap between US 

Airways and Delta Airlines. New York City is the largest city in the 

United States and needs an airline to committ all resources to serve a 

city such as its size. Only the worlds largest airline can provide such 

support. 

Thank you for your approval so this city and our country can benefit from 

the support. 

Sincerely, 

John Prestia 

402-290-8808