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’ application for daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan National Airport and 

Will Rogers Airport 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 residents 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 nonstop commercial

flights to Reagan National Airport.

Through 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 Aeronautics 

Center. Tinker Air Force Base is another major federal installation located within the Oklahoma City area. Combined with 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 limited 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 Oklahoma City-Washington, 

D.C market. 

For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation award the two slot exemptions in the abovereferenced proceeding to Southwest Airlines, so that it can begin nonstop service between Oklahoma City and Reagan National Airport.

Again, such service is long overdue.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. 

Sincerely,

Mary Fallin

Governor


2915 N. Classen, Suite 400 ∙ Oklahoma City, OK 73106 ∙ 405/840-8383 ∙Fax 405/528-2466 ∙ Mobile/Voice 405/833-1071 

http//www.walterspower.com ∙ e-mail - david@walterspower.com 

13 March 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 wanted to write in support of Southwest Airlines’ application for daily, non-stop service to 

Ronald Reagan 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 

airports 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 Southwest 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 sizable 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

President




Fred 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 

communities 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 direct, 

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 within 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 produce 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 

service is a sure winner for consumers and is undoubtedly in the U.S. public’s interest.

330 NE 10th 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 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,

Fred S. Morgan

FSM:GRC:rm


120 N. Robinson Ave., Suite 1244W  Oklahoma City, OK 73102  (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:

When 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 that 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 Baltimore/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 nonstop 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-mile 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 industries, 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 fares 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 positive impact upon fares to DCA.

Mr. Secretary, we need your help. We’ve overcome challenges such as the ‘80s oil bust and the Murrah building bombing. 

We are a major metropolitan city with a pretty good pro basketball team. I guarantee you that this flight will stay full as 

Oklahomans will come from miles around—Tulsa, 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,

 

 Victor 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 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 communities in the 

United States. Combined with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical

Center and the U.S. military’s Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahomans have considerable business before 

the federal government, which drives demand for more direct, convenient and frequent 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 within 

DCA’s 1250-miles 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 produce 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 service is a 

sure winner for consumers and is undoubtedly 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. Thank 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