CITY OF OIL CITY 

CITY PLAZA • 21 SENECA STREET 

OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA 16301 

Mr. Dennis J. De Vany 

Chief, Essential Air Service Division, X-53 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

U.S. Dept. of Transportation 

Dear Mr. De Vany: 

I am writing to you in support of the Gulfstream Int'l Airlines proposal. Option One (1), to 

provide scheduled air service to Franklin/Oil City (FKL) under the Essential Air Service 

program. Franklin/Oil City (FKL) lost air service along with other EAS communities in May of 

2008 when the contracted air carrier ceased operations. Service was reinitiated on September 3, 

2008 with Gulfstream Int'l Airlines operating as Continental Connection through the Continental 

Airlines hub in Cleveland, OH. 

The effort to regain the travel market lost due to the three months without air service is on going 

and substantial. Additionally; the nation experienced the worst recession in the past fifty (SO) 

years almost as soon as Gulfstream began FKL service. 

The economic "recovery" has been sporadic nationwide and negligible, thus far, in the 

Franklin/Oil City area. This region, which had been particularly devastated even prior to 2008 

due to plant closings and layoffs, has been working to reinvent its economy. The 2008 recession 

was a further setback. 

Just a littie over a year into the new air service, in November 2009, began the worst winter in 

many years. December, January and February saw the air carrier cancel sixty-five (65) FKL 

flights due to weather. That's twenty-one per cent of the FKL flights for those months. 

Additionally, the travel market was negatively impacted in 2008 and 2009 by the S ARS virus 

and the Swine Flu. 

These issues really caused a set back for a fiagile maiket that was already shaken due to the lost 

service earlier in the year. 

PHONE; 814-678-3012 • FAX: 814-678-3086 
Tlie Oil City community supports Gul&tream's option # 1 service through Cleveland and vnll 

woric closely with the Airport and Gulfstream through the Save our Service (SOS) effort to 

improve passenger enplanements to again be under the $200 per passenger cap. The service 

offered using Cleveland as a hub gives this community more non stop destinations and 

reasonable connections and fares. Gul&tream has proven to be very customer conscious and the 

Continental Connection/Continental brand is becoming a favorite in this region. The Airport 

works closely with the public and the air carrier on communication and customer service as well 

as providing a cost free business environment for the carrier. These facts will make the SOS 

effort successful. 

The citizens of Oil City Avant the timely, dependable air service proposed by Gulfstream and 

request that the Department of Transportation provide this chance to continue the rebuilding of 

this economy. Gulfstream's option 1 can serve as a huge stimulus to this region. 

The region is experiencing the beginnings of a positive trend in business development thanks to 

the hard work of our legislators and community leaders. Meaningful, scheduled air service is a 

key element in the success of this venture. This rural area should be allowed to compete with the 

larger urban areas on a level plajdng field. Viable conunercial air service helps level that playing 

field and is necessary for business development and sustained economic growth. 

We ask that you recommend this proposal to the Deputy Secretary. 

Thank you for your work on the Essential Air Service program on behalf of the Oil City 

community. 

Best Regards, 

Ryan T. Eggleston 

City Manager