THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

The Honorable Lamar Smith 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Smith: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

April19, 2012 ", :'"i ~ 7 I i 

·~ '· "~ 

'": (i, Cl: I'' -l • /\ , .... 1 I 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Southwest Airlines for two beyond .. perimeter slot exemption$ at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Southwesrs application proposes to serve Austin-Bergstrom 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Refonn Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department ofTransportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Southwest's application on March 12. Other timely applications were received 

from Air Canada, proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Alaska Airlines, one 

round trip to Portland, Oregon, and one round trip to San Diego; Frontier Airlines, one round trip 

to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, 

Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin, Texas; Sun Country Airli.nes, one round trip to Las 

Vegas; and Virgin Amerioa, Inc., two round trips to San Francisco. 

A~ the matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket) which 

allows all interested parties the opp.ortunity to mment. Following. our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this respo docket number DOT -2{} 12-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to eac your interest in this 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable John Carter 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Carter: 

Aprll19, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, oosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Southwest Airlines fur two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (OCA). Southwest~s application proposes to serve Austin-Bergstrom 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authoritY .granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips .. 

We received Southwest's application on March 12. Other timely applications were received 

from Air Canada, proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Coluntbia; Alaska Airlines, one 

round trip to Portlan~ Oregon, and one round trip to San Diego; Frontier Airlines, one round trip 

to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBiue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, 

Puerto Rico., and one round trip to Austin, TeXt,U;; Sun Country Airlines,. one round trip to Las 

Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to San Francisco. 

As the matter is still pending. t cannot comment on the n1erits of the points raised in your letter. 

However~ I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket, which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response in d.ocket number DOT-2012 .. 0029. 

A similar reSPonse has been s signer of your letter. I appr · 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASH1NGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Michael McCaul 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman McCaul: 

April19, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

.of Southwest Airlines fur two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Sottthweses application proposes to serve Austin-Bergstrom 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of20 12, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Southweses application on March 12. Othet· timely applications were received 

from Air Canada, proposing one mund trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Alaska Airlines, one 

round trip to Portland, Oregon* and one .round-trip to San Diego; Frontier Airlines, one round trip 

to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, 

Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin, Texas; Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las 

Vegas; and Virgin America. Inc., two round trips to San Francisco, 

As the matter is still pending, J cannot commentonthe merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However~ I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute .. 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered thtough.a public docket, whieh 

allows aU interested parties the opportunity mment Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this re docket number DOT -2012·0029. 

A similar response has been sen your interest in this 

matter. 

Ray LaHood 
Qtnngrens nf tlp~ 1flniteil ~bdeE 

musl,iugton, 1ll(!t 20515 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey A venue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

March 20, 2012 

We are writing in support of Southwest Airlines' application for beyond-perimeter slot 

exemptions between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Austin- Bergstrom 

International Airport (AUS). With these beyond-perimeter slot exemptions, Southwest proposes 

to operate the first-ever "capital-to-capital" nonstop flight between Austin and DCA. 

Southwest has operated at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport since 1977. However. 

despite significant demand, the airport currently lacks nonstop service to DCA. As a result, 

current travel options between Austin and DCA require stopovers and are relatively expensive. 

Southwest's proposal would provide much-needed service to passengers flying between the two 

capitals. Using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Southwest will likely be able to offer lower fares for 

Washingt<;>n, DC and Austin-area passengers while maximizing the use of scarce beyondperimeter slot exemptions and providing much-needed job opportunities. 

We hope that Southwest's application will receive every fair and proper consideration. 

Thank you for your attention on this subject. 

Sincerely, 

4--· Lamar Smith ~·-· Member of Congress 

:11AtLwt~d Michael McCaul 

Member of Congress 

s 10-'120327-045 Pf\INTEO ON l'lECYC~EO PAP€11