### SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Robert W. Kneisley

Associate General Counsel 1901 L Street, N.W.

– Suite 640 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 263-6284 (202) 263-6291 Fax bob.kneisley@wnco.com



### _______________________________________________________________________________

December 19, 2012

Filed in the Docket Electronically

The Honorable Susan Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

Re: Application of Southwest Airlines Co. for Within-Perimeter Slot Exemptions (DCA-HOU); Docket DOT-OST- 2000 -7182 (Part 2 of 3 )

Dear Ms. Kurland:

Please find attached the second of three parts of a packet of letters (61 in total) in support of Southwest Airlines’ application for two within-perimeter slot exemptions for
DCA -HOU- ABQ service. This submission includes additional letters from important state and local officials and organizations that have strongly endorsed Southwest’s application.

Sincerely,

_____________________ Robert W. Kneisley

cc: All parties on Southwest’s service list

### Letters Supporting Southwest Airlines’ Proposed DCA

– HOU

– ABQ Service

PART I (* sent via a separate submission)

Federal Officials

1.) Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senator John Cornyn 2.) Texas Congressional Delegation

– Representatives Pete Olson, Gene Green, Ted Poe, Charles Gonzalez, John Culberson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Michael McCaul, Blake Farenthold, Francisco “ Quico ” Canseco, Mac Thornberry, John Carter, Lamar Smith, Sam Johnson, Joe Barton, Randy Neugebauer, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Kay Granger, Bill Flores, Michael Burgess, Louie Gohmert, Ruben Hinojosa, Henry Cuellar, Michael Conaway, Ralph Hall, Kenny Marchant, Al Green, and Pete Sessions 3.) New Mexico Congressional Delegation

– Senator Jeff Bingaman, Senator Tom Udall, Senator-elect and Rep. Martin Heinrich, Rep. Steve Pearce and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan

State Officials

4.) Texas Governor Rick Perry 5.) Texas State Representative Garnet Coleman 6.) Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis 7.) Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner 8.) Te xas State Representative Harold V. Dutton, Jr. 9.) Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson 10.) Texas State Representative Dr. Alma A. Allen 11.) Texas State Representative Jessica Farrar 12.) Texas State Representative Ana Hernandez Luna 13.) New Mexico State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez 14.) New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela

PART II (*contained herein)

Local Officials

15.) Houston Mayor Annise Parker 16.) Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry 17.) Houston Mayor Pro-Tem and Council Member Ed Gonzalez 18.) Houston City Council Member Andrew C. Burks, Jr. 19.) Houston City Council Member Jack Christie, D.C. 20.) Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez 21.) Houston City Council Member Melissa Noriega 22.) Houston City Council Member Larry V. Green 23.) Houston City Council Member Stephen C. Costello 24.) Houston City Council Member Ellen R. Cohen 25.) Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation, Houston Airports System

### 26.) James D. Hinde, Director of Aviation, City of Albuquerque/ABQ Airport

State/Regional Organizations

27.) Greater Houston Partnership 28.) Houston Area Urban League 29.) Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 30.) Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce 31.) Texas Travel Industry Association 32.) Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce 33.) Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership 34.) Greater Hobby Area Chamber of Commerce 35.) Houston East End Chamber of Commerce 36.) Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce 37.) Association of Commerce & Industry of New Mexico

PART III (*sent via a separate submission)

National Organizations

38.) Transportation Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 556 39.) Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association 40.) International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (Dora Cervantes, Assistant Secretary) 41.) United States Hispanic Leadership Institute 42.) VotoLatino 43.) Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund 44.) Council for Opportunity in Education 45.) Latino Leaders Network 46.) Earth Day Network 47.) US Business Leadership Network 48.) Dialogue on Diversity 49.) Organization of Chinese Americans 50.) Japanese American Citizens League 51.) America Society on Aging 52.) National Asian American Coalition 53.) Asian American & Pacific Islander Association of Colleges & Universities 54.) National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Major Companies/Institutions

55.) University of Texas System 56.) George Washington University 57.) BMC Software 58.) Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) 59.) Blue Bell Creameries, L.P. 60.) SER -Jobs for Progress National, Inc. 61.) Winstead, P.C.

# C ITY OF 

# H OUSTON

Office of the Mayor 

### Annise D. Parker

Mayor

P.O. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251-1562

Telephone – Dial 311 www.houstontx.gov



### December 4, 2012

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

Re: Docket DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I understand that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding slots at Washington Reagan (DCA) for new air service as a result of Spirit Airlines cancelling all its operations at DCA. On behalf of the City of Houston, I write to express my strong support that DOT award slots for any new nonstop service that is proposed to the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston.

HOU is one of the largest airports located within DCA’s 1,250-mile perimeter that does not have existing nonstop flights to/from DCA. HOU offers Houstonians the convenience of being located only eight miles from downtown Houston, as well as having a strong airline tenant (Southwest) that provides 143 daily departures to 38 cities. This makes HOU a major part of Houston’s air transportati on network and a critical economic engine, providing thousands of jobs and bill ions of dollars in economic benefits for Greater Houston. Southwest Airlines has advised me that it will apply for daily, nonstop service on this route.

As Mayor of the fourth largest city in the United States, I have made it a priority to increase airline competition for the benefit of Houston-based consumers. Today, only one airline serves the DCA-Houston market and that airline operates from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. History has shown that competition in air service brings down fares and provides consumers with additional travel options.

As one of the most vibrant and fastest growing cities in the United States, and as the energy capital of the world, Houston is deserving of competitive air transpor tation to the Nation’s Capital. Southwest’s business model is well-matched to Houston’s needs and its proposed additional access to DCA would well serve the public interest.

For these reasons, I respectfully request DOT to approve Southwest’s application for daily nonstop service between DCA and HOU. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Regards,

Annise D. Parker Mayor

Council Members: Helena Brown Jerry Davis Ellen R. Cohen Wanda Adams Mike Sullivan Al Hoang Oliver Pennin gton Edward Gonzalez James G. Rodriguez Mike Laster Larry V. Green Stephen C. Costello Andrew C. Burks, Jr. Melissa Noriega C.O. “Brad” Bra dford Jack Christie Controller: Ronald C. Green

# M AYOR 

# P RO

- 

# T EM 

# E D 

# G ONZALEZ Council Member, District H

City Hall Annex  900 Bagby Street, 1st Floor  Houston, Texas 77002 Phone: ( 832 ) 393

- 3003  F ax : ( 832 ) 393

- 3224  districth@houstontx.gov 

### December 17, 2012

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

Re: Docket No. DOT -OST- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

In the interest of promoting airline competition, affordable airfares and greater access between the Nation’s Capital and the Greater Houston region, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation

ap prove Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for two slot exemptions at Ronald ReaganWashington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to use these slot exemptions to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today, there is no scheduled air service between DCA and Hobby.

The Houston- DCA market is underserved and overpriced. As the Nation’s largest low -cost airline, Southwest is well suited to provide significant consumer benefits in this important market. Since 1971, Southwest has a proven track record of lowering ticket prices and stimulating more passenger traffic in the

markets it enters.

Through new competition, lower airfares, and the use of a 143- seat aircraft, Southwest’s proposed service is projected to attract tens-of-thousands of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually in the DCA-Houston market. Business and leisure travelers stand to benefit if Southwest is able to bring low-fare competition to the Houston-DCA market.

Again, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwest’s application for two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzal ez Council Member, District HA United Way Agency Affiliated With The National Urban League

Executive Committee

Morris Clark Chair

Cary Yates
1 st Vice Chair

Phil Dyson
2 nd Vice Chair

Donna Rolland
3 rd Vice Chair

Jamie Greenheck Secretary

Michael Pearson Treasurer

Judson W. Robinson III President & CEO

Members

Juan Alonso Terry K. Anderson

Joni Baird
Levi J. Benton Herman Burroughs Donovan Campbell

Deidre Fontaine

Terence H. Fontaine
Licia Green Ellis Doug Guthrie Marian Harper Wayne C. Haynes Wanda Holloway
Felicia Jackson
Karen M. Jenkins Brandy Jordan Waring Lester
Sherman L. Lewis Margaret C. Montana Desrye Morgan
Ed Smith

Michelle Trevino
Pamela Ulmer Laurie Vignaud Elijah J. Williams Stephen L. Williams 1301 Texas Avenue Houston, Texas 77002 5320 Griggs Houston, Texas 77021

Tel 713 393 8700 Fax 281 768 7907 www.haul.org Tel 281 220 6012 Fax 713 641 3321 Empowering Communities Changing Lives



### December 13, 2012

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

Re: Docket No. DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

In the interest of promoting airline co mpetition, affordable airfares and greater access between the Nation’s Capital and Gr eater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to a pprove Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to use these slot exemption to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houst on Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today, there
is no scheduled air serv ice between DCA and Hobby.

The Houston-DCA market is underserv ed and overpriced. Urban League
Affiliates such as Houston’s need more affordable opportunities to reach our nation’s capital. We travel at minimum twice a year to meet with our elected officials and to align strategies that will help the 2 million persons we serve annually. As the Nation’s largest low-cost airline, Southwest is well suited to provide significant consumer benefits in this important market. Since 1971, Southwest has had a proven track record of lowering ticket pr ices and stimulating more passenger traffic in the markets it enters.

Through new competition, lower airfares, and the use of a 143-seat aircraft, Southwest’s proposed service is projected to attract tens-of-thousands of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually in the
DCA-Houston market. Business and leisure travelers stand to benefit if Southwest is able to bring low-fare compe tition to the Houston-DCA market.

Again, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwest’s application for two slot exem ptions at DCA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Judson W. Robinson, III
President and CEO Houston Area Urban League“ The Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions

or gifts to the HHCC are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. However, a portion of your payment to the HHCC may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Please consult your own tax advisor with respect to your eligibility
to take such deductions.”

1801 Main Street, Suite 890 Houston, TX 77002 Tel :( 713) 644-7070 Fax: (713) 644 -7377 www.houstonhispanicchamber.com 

### December 7, 2012

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

Re: Docket No. DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

In the interest of promoting airline competition, affordable airfares and greater access between the Nation’s Capital and Greater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to use these slot exemption to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today, there is no scheduled air service between DCA and Hobby.

The Houston-DCA market i s underserved and overpriced. As the Nation’s largest low-cost airline, Southwest is well suited to provide significant consumer benefits in this important market. Since 1971, Southwest has a proven track record of lowering ticket prices and stimulating more passenger traffic in the markets it enters.

Through new competition, lower airfares, and the use of a 143-seat aircraft, Southwest’s proposed service is projected to attract tens -of-thousand of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually in the DCA-Houston market. Business and leisure travelers stand to benefit if Southwest is able to bring low-fare competition to the Houston-DCA market.

Again, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve

S outhwest’s application for two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Dr. Laura G. Murillo
President & CEO

cc: Gilbert A. Herrera, Chairman Chair man GILBERT HERRERA

Chairman

– Elect
ARMANDO PEREZ

Immediate Past Chair IRMA DÍAZ

- GONZÁLEZ

Treasurer
DOUGLAS HIDALGO

Parliamentarian
FELIPE BAYON

Secretary
MARIA RIOS

Directors
ANA ABRAHAMS
APRIL BAILEY
CARLOS de ALDECOA
BUENO
PAUL BITNER
M. HELEN CAVAZOS
DIVA HERAZO
ROBERT JIMENEZ
DAVID LOPEZ
DAVID LOVING
MIKE LOYA
JUAN MITTERHOFER
DAVID MORENO
GILBERT MORENO
DEMETRIUS NAVARRO
JESSE SALDIVA R

President & CEO
DR. LAURA G. MURILLO

## Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce

Tri

- County International Chamber of Commerce

2626 

### s. Loop West, Suite 250 Houston, Texas 77054
Tel.832-875-3977 F ax. 281-336

- 0870 www.tcbcc

. org info@tcbcc

. org

December 10,2012

The Honorable Raymond H

. LaHood Secretary of Transportation

U

. S

. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re : Docket DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I understand that the U

. S

. Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) for new air service at DCA

. On behalf of the business members and travelers of Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce, Tri

- County International Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Belize Chamber of Commerce who travel regularly to Washington, DC, we strongly support the approval of Southwest Airlines' application to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby).

The Houston-DCA market is underserved and overpriced. Business and leisure travelers stand to benefit greatly if Southwest Airlines is able to bring low

- fare competition to the Houston-DCA

market

.

It is our position that Southwest Airlines will attract thousands of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually in the DCA-Houston market.

Again, speaking on behalf of Houston's Entrepreneurs, we request DOT to approve Southwest Airlines' application for two slot exemptions at DCA

.

Thank you in advance for your attention and consideration of this important matter.

Yours truly,

. 

# V

. . .. A • ••• •

. ) 

# d ( t Indvt U 

# f /

~'l /

Leondria R

. Thompson

President & CEOTexas Travel Industry Association 3345 Bee Caves Road, Suite 102A, Austin, Texas 78746 • P: 512.328.8842 F: 512.478.9177 • www.ttia.org 

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

Re: Docket No. DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I respectfully request you approve Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest) application to begin daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby).

Southwest has been an important part of the Greater Houston community for over 40 years. Southwest continues to grow in Houston and now operates more than 140 daily departures at Hobby to over three dozen cities throughout the United States.

DCA is one of the few major airports not served directly by Southwest from Hobby. In fact, no airline flies directly between DCA and Hobby. It is long overdue for Houston’s downtown airport and Washington, DC’s downtown airport to be linked with daily nonstop air service. Through new DCA-Houston service, Southwest proposes to attract tens- of -thousand of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually in the DCA-Houston

market.

Based upon these reasons, I respectfully ask the Department of Transportation to approve

S outhwest’s application. As one of the largest and fastest growin g cities in the United States, greater Houston is deserving of more affordable and frequent access to/from the n ation’s Capital.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

David Teel

President and CEO

### 1 OFFICERS

Chairperson Jim Wyatt Austin, Texas

Vice Chairperson
Laveda Brown Waco, Texas

Secretary
Brian Roland Prairie View, Texas

Treasurer Horace Satisfield Collin County

Immediate Past Chair Odel Crawford Odessa, Texas

TAACCC MISSION

To Ensure that African

American Business Owners
receive a fair share of the economic prosperity of Texas. To Serve as a catalyst for a better quality of life in African

American communities throughout Texas. To Support policies that allow
African-Americans access to economic opportunities.

2012 Member
U.S. Black Chamber 

### December 10, 2012

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

Re: Docket DOT

- OST

- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

The Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC) and the over 100,000

African

- American owned businesses served by our member chambers in the Houston/Harris
County SMSA urge you to award slots at Washington Reagan (DCA) for Southwest Airlines to begin nonstop service between Houston Hobby (HOU) and our nation’s capital.

As you are well aware, Southwest Airlines

– a strong Texas company

– pioneered the concept that
other carriers are still strug gling to emulate: Great service at a fair price! The convenient, non

- stop connection between Houston Hobby and DCA does so much more than simply connect one of America’s premier cities with Washington, DC. This new connection will result in an entirely new
universe of opportunity for small businesses on both ends. Southwest’s demonstrated
commitment to stakeholder outreach and supplier diversity is also a model other carriers would do
well to mimic, and we heartily endorse their application to begin nonstop service, DCA to HOU.

On behalf of TAAACC, the State of Texas, the City of Houston and the dynamic markets that will be enhanced by this new service, we are pleased to support Southwest Airlines’ application to add

their award

- winning brand of service to W ashington Reagan via Houston Hobby.

Sincerely,

James “Jim” Wyatt
Chairman P. O. Box 13064 Austin, Texas 78711

- 3064 info@taaacc.org www.taaacc.org (512) 535

- 5610550 Gulfgate Center Mall Houston, Texas 77087 713/926

- 3305

w ww.eecoc.org

Executive Board of Directors
Rachel de Cordova , Chair Royston Rayzor Vickery & Williams Doug Childers, Incoming Chair
Morris Architects Mark Wayne , Treasurer Amegy Bank
Jim McNutt
Comerica Bank Gregory Phillips Phillips & Reiter. PLL
Gilda Ramirez Port of Houston Authority

Board of Directors
Cliff Atherton Gulfstar Group Stephanie Bottos Valero Refinery

- Houston Johnella Bradford Houston Community College

– SE
Cristina Burt Cbeyond
Chris Canetti Houston Dynamo
Sara Cronin TPC Group Chelsea Egmon
West Gulf Maritime Association Steve Ferguson Maximus Coffee Group William Fitzgibbon University of Houston
Maritza Guerrero Community Family Centers
Patricia Joiner
Knudson LP
Mark Joyner Texas Port Recycling Stephanie Macey Louis Macey Investments Mark McCullough Whitney Bank
Richard Mellas
Wulfe and Co.
Todd Monette LyondellBasell
Alan Robb International Longshoremen’s Assoc.
Todd Stewart
Gulf Winds International Captain Robert Thompson
Houston Pilots Association Roy Zermeno
AT&T

Ex

- Officio & Advisory Members Mary Ann Carrion Senator Mario Gallegos Jerry Peruchini
Council Member Ed Gonzales Art Flanagan HUB International Rigg Sonny Flores
Greater East End District
Graci Garces Council Member James Rodriguez Jorge Maldonado Congressman Gene Green Cynthia Hawk
JSC Federal Credit Union Byron Hebert
Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas Maria Delgado Representative Ana Hernandez Luna Jack Rodriguez
Commissioner Jack Morman Judge Armando Rodriguez
Diane Schenke
Greater East End District Judge Richard Vara James E. Anderson University of Houston Robert Gallegos Commissioner Sylvia Garc Chamber Founders
Anheuser

- Busch/Silver Eagle Dist.
AT&T Gulfgate Center

- Wulfe and Co

. Gulf Winds International LyondellBasell Port of Houston Authority Valero Refinery

- Houston

Chamber Partners
Bank of America
Comerica Bank Oak Farms Dairy
Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas Whitney Bank

Chamber Sponsors

AltairStrickland
Comcast Business Class
Farmer Brothers Coffee
Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery
Frost Bank
G&A Partners
Garver Real Estate Houston Distributing Co.
Houston Pilots Association
JSC Federal Credit Union Maximus Coffee Group
Phone Communications Inc. Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams, LLP
Texas Children’s Health Plan
Texas Children’s Pediatric Assoc.
Texas Port Recycling TPC Group 

### December 17 , 2012

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

Re: Docket No. DOT

- OST

- 200 0

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

In the interest of promoting airline competition, affordable airfares and greater access between the Nation’s Capital and Greater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). We understand

that Southwest proposes to use these slot exemption s to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today, there is no scheduled air serv ice between DCA and Hobby.

The Houston

- DCA market is underserved and overpriced. As the Nation’s largest low

- cost airline, Southwest is well suited to provide significant consumer benefits in this important market. Business and leisure travelers stand to

benefit if Southwest is ab le to bring low

- fare competition to the

Houston

- DCA market.

Again, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwest’s application for two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this importan t matter.

Sincerely,

Frances C asta ñ ed a Dyess
President