STATE CAPITOL BUILDING  2300 N

. LINCOLN BLVD., SUITE 212  OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73105

- 4801  ( 405) 521

- 2342  FAX (405) 521

- 3353 

## Mary Fallin

Office of the Governor

State of Oklahoma

March 6, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket OST

- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood,

I write in strong support of Southwest Airlines ’ applicatio n for daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan National Airport and Will Rogers A

irport in Oklahoma City (OKC)

. Oklahoma is one of the most economically vibrant states in the Nation and the Oklahoma City area has added tens

- of

- thousands of new resident s over the past decade. With its strong and growing energy, defense and aerospace

sectors

– all of which have business interests before the federal government

– Oklahoma is long overdue in having n onstop commercial flights to Reagan National Airport.

Thr ough its application, Southwest proposes to initiate the only nonstop service between Oklahoma and Reagan National Airport

. Such direct access to Washington, D.C. would be exceptionally beneficial to the residents and businesses of Oklahoma. Oklahoma is home to thousands of Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration employees based at the Mike Monroney Aeronau tics

Center . Tinker Air Force Base is another major federal installation located with in the Oklahoma City area. Combined wit h Oklahoma’s

robust private sector workforce, there is clearly strong demand for more convenient access to Washington, D.C., and Southwest ’ s application would help to address that demand.

Although OKC Airport is identified as a “ small hub ” airport by the FAA, the airport has an impressive route map with nonstop flights to dozens of domestic markets throughout the United States . Southwest currently offers daily nonstop flights to eight markets (nine beginning in June 2012) , including several markets with l imited travel options to Washington, DC . Linking OKC ’ s route map with Reagan National Airport would produce competitive benefits and facilitate more travel options for travelers beyond the O klahoma City

- Washington,

D.C market.

For these reasons, I resp ectfully request that the Department of Transportation award the two slot exemptions in th e above

referenced proceeding to Southwest Airlines, so that it can begin nonstop service between Oklahoma City and Reagan National Airport

. Again, such service is l ong overdue.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

S incerely

,

Mary Fallin

Governor2915 N. Classen, Suite 400

∙ Oklahoma City, OK 731 06

∙ 405/840

- 8383

∙ Fax 405/ 528

- 2466

∙ Mobile /Voice 405 / 833

- 1071 http//www.waltersp ower .com ∙ e

- mail

- david @waltersp ower .com 

### 13 March 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transp ortation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket OST

- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood,

I wanted to write in support of Southwest Airlines ’ application for daily , non

- stop service to Ronald Reaga n National Airport from Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport.

Walters Power International is a global power company operating out of Oklahoma City. Our executives travel frequently, internationally and domestically, and non

- stop flights to major US

a irports save our company time and money, allowing us to operate more efficiently.

In addition, as a former Oklahoma Governor still active in providing input on a variety of policy issues, I travel frequently to Washington, D.C., and a direct flight on Sou thwest to Reagan National would dramatically reduce the time and cost of travel.

It’s my understanding that Oklahoma City is currently the largest community within the DCA perimeter that does not have non

- stop service. As home to state government and a si zable federal government employee base at Tinker AFB and the Mike Monroney Aeronautics Center

– as well as their supporting industries

– it would seem that there would be great demand for cost

- efficient travel to our Nation’s Capital.

I would respectfully request that the Department of Transportation award the two referenced slot exemptions to Southwest Airlines, so that it can begin non

- stop service between Oklahoma City and Reagan National Airport.

We appreciate your consideration,

David Walters

Pres identFred S. Morgan

President and CEO



### March 8, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket OST

- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

On behalf of The State Chamber of Oklahoma , I write in strong support of Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City (OKC). Southwest proposes to

initiate the only nonstop service between Oklahoma and DCA. Such direct access to the Nation’s Capital would be exceptionally beneficial to the business community of Greater Oklahoma City. Considering the size and strength of Oklahoma City’s business community, we believe nonstop service to DCA is fully justified, if not overdue.

Greater Oklahoma City is growing rapidly. Led by its vibrant energy

- related industries as well as the defense and aerospace sectors, Oklahoma City is one of the fast growing

communitie s in the United States. Combined with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Mike Monroney Aeronautics Center and the U.S. military’s Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahomans have considerable business before the federal government, which drives demand for more d irect, convenient and frequent air service to Washington, D.C.

Today, with no nonstop service to DCA, tens of thousands of OKC travelers fly annually to DCA on connecting itineraries. In fact, OKC is the largest origin and destination market

located wit hin DCA’s 1,250

- mile perimeter without nonstop service. Moreover, average ticket prices on these connecting itineraries in the DCA

- OKC market are relatively expensive. We are confident that nonstop service from a low

- fare leader like Southwest will produ ce significant fare savings, in addition to more convenient access to DCA.

In summary, given Greater Oklahoma City’s strong origin and destination passenger base, combined with Southwest’s vast domestic network, Southwest’s application for OKC

- DCA
servic e is a sure winner for consumers and is undoubtedly in the U.S. public’s interest.

330 NE 10 th Street • Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Web site: www.okstatechamber.com (405) 235

- 3669 • FAX (405) 235

- 3670



### First Accredited State Chamber in the Nation

### The Honorable Ray LaHood

Secretary of Transportation March 8, 2012 Page Two

Therefore, we respectfully request the Department of Transportation to award the two slot exemptions at issue in this pro ceeding to Southwest Airlines so that it can begin daily

scheduled service between OKC and DCA . Thank you in advance for your consideration of this
request.

Sincerely,

Fred S. Morgan

FSM: GRC: rm120 N. Robinson Ave., Suite 1244W  Oklahoma City, OK 73 102  (405) 604

- 6900  (405) 604

- 6919 Fax 

### Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission

March 12, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood The Secretary of Transportation United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: Docket OST

- 2000

- 7182

Dear Mr. Secretary:

W hen I was chair of the National Association of State Aviation Officials in 2010, I enjoyed hearing your remarks several times, including the FAA Aviation Forecast Conference. Like you, I share your vision about high

- speed rail. But, I know that you agree t hat when you are beyond a certain distance, the fastest way from point A to point B is an aircraft.

Of course, that last statement presumes an as the crow flies, direct, nonstop. If you have one or in some cases, two stops/connections, you have severely reduced the advantage of air transportation. That is the dilemma that we find ourselves in Oklahoma and Oklahoma City

— no nonstop service to our nation’s capital. We need nonstop service to D.C. The closest you can come to nonstop to D.C., is nonstop to Bal timore/Washington International (BWI), or Dulles.

My job requires that I come to D.C. several times a year to visit our congressional delegation, attend a conference, or a meeting at FAA headquarters, etc. I’m in the same boat, or should I say plane, as my friends at Tinker AFB, the FAA Monroney Aeronautical Center, and our thriving energy, and aerospace and defense industries, in that I am making one or two stops/connections, to get to National Airport (DCA). Sometimes, I gamble a little, and take the no nstop to BWI on Southwest, and if I time it just right, and it’s a weekday, so I can take the MARC Train to Union Station (MARC does not run on weekends), I might get to the District faster than taking a flight that has connections to get to DCA. But, like I said, that’s a gamble, and most of the time it doesn’t pay off. And, if you miss the MARC or it’s not running, you are on your way to an adventure on the Metrobus to the Greenbelt Metro Station.

Oklahoma City is the largest city within the DCA’s 1250

- m ile perimeter that does not have nonstop service to DCA. Other smaller markets such as Grand Rapids, MI, Des Moines, IA, and Fort Meyers, FL, have enjoyed nonstop service for years to DCA. Led by our energy, aerospace and defense, health care, bioscience i ndustries, our economy has remained strong during the entire Great Recession, and our unemployment rate has rarely exceeded 6%. ARRA dollars for infrastructure and training have greatly helped us, too. Yet, we have no nonstop service to DCA. And, while far es are going up across the board, we have some of the highest fares among top markets without nonstop flights to DCA.
Southwest’ low

- fare pricing will result in significant savings to business and leisure travelers, and the Southwest effect will have a pos itive impact upon fares to DCA.

Mr. Secretary, we need your help. We’ve overcome challenges such as the ‘80s oil bust a nd the Murrah building bombing. We are a major metropolitan city with a pretty good pro basketball team

. I guarantee you that this fligh t will stay full as
Oklahomans will come from miles around

— T ul sa, Norman and Lawton/Ft.Sill

— to take this flight. Oklahoma City merits this nonstop flight on Southwest to DCA ! Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully submitted,

Vi ctor N. Bird
Director
Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission

### March 9, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket OST

- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood :

On behalf of Jordan Advertising , I write in strong support of Southwest Airlines ’ (Southwest’s) application for daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Will Rogers

World Airport in Oklahoma City (OKC) . Southwest proposes to initiate the only nonstop service

between Oklahoma and DCA. Such direct access to the Nation ’ s Capital would be exceptionally

beneficial to the business community of G reater Oklahoma City. Considering the size and strength of

Okl ahoma City’s business community, we believe nonstop service to DCA is fully justified, if not

overdue.

Greater Oklahoma City is growing rapidly. L ed by its vibrant energy

- related industries as well as the defense and aerospace sectors , Oklahoma City is on e of the fast growing communities in the

United States . Combined with the F ederal Aviation Administration ’ s Mike M onroney Aeronautic al

Center and the U.S. military’s Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahomans have considerable business before the federal governmen t , which drives demand for more direct, convenient and frequent service to

W ashington, D.C

. Today, with no nonstop service to DCA, tens of thousands of OKC travelers fly annually to DCA on connecting itineraries. In fact, OKC is the largest origin and de stination market located within

DCA’s 1250

- miles perimeter without nonstop s ervice. Moreover, average ticket prices on these connecting itineraries in the DCA

- OKC market are relatively expensive. We are confident that nonstop

service from a low

- fare lead er like Southwest will produce significant fare savings, in addition to more

convenient access to DCA. In summary, given Greater Oklahoma City’s strong o rigin and destination passenger base,

combined with Southwest ’ s vast domestic network, Southwest’s app lication for OKC

- DCA service is a sure winner for consumers and is undoubted ly in the U.S. public ’ s interest. Therefore, we respectfully request the Department of Transportation to award the two slot exemptions at issue in this proceeding to Southwest Airlines so that it can begin daily scheduled service

between OKC and DCA . T hank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Hooper

President/CEO

### OKLAHOMA FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD 215 DEAN A. MCGEE, STE 320 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73102 (405) 231-4167 www.oklahoma.feb.gov

March 9, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I wish to contact you regarding Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City (OKC).

Currently there is no “non-stop” flight service from Oklahoma City to Ronald Reagan National Airport. With more than 80,000 federal employees (military, civilian and Postal Service) in the state of Oklahoma (most of whom fly out of Oklahoma City), this poses a burden on the federal agencies and the individuals regarding duty time spent traveling to the City in which all the Agencies are Headquartered.

Southwest proposes to initiate the only nonstop service between Oklahoma and DCA. This direct access to the Nation’s Capital would be exceptionally beneficial in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal government in Oklahoma.

Considering the size and strength of the federal community, we believe nonstop service to DCA is fully justified, if not overdue. Today, with no nonstop service to DCA, tens of thousands of travelers fly annually to DCA on connecting itineraries. In fact, OKC is the largest origin and destination market located within DCA’s 1250-miles perimeter without nonstop service.

In summary, given the strong origin and destination passenger base of Oklahoma, an application for OKC-DCA service is a sure winner for consumers and is undoubtedly in the U.S. public’s interest.

We respectfully request the Department of Transportation award the two slot exemptions at issue in this proceeding to Southwest Airlines so that it can begin daily scheduled service between OKC and DCA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

LeAnn Jenkins
Executive Director