U.S.Deportment

of Transportation

Office of the Secretory

at Transportation

Assistant Socretary

January 22, 2013

1200 Now Jersey Avenuo, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Mr. Christie:

The Honorable Jack Christie, D.C.

Houston City Council Member, At Large 5

PO Box 1562

Houston, TX 77251.1526

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Thank you for your letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, supporting the-~pplication

of Southwest Airlines (Southwest) for two within-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan

Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to serve Houston's William P. Hobby

Airport with one nonstop round trip per day from DCA. Secretary LaHood asked that [ respond

to you on his behalf.

We received SouthWest's application on December 5, 2012. Other timely applications were

received from JetBlue Ainvays, proposing onc nonstop round trip to Jacksonville International

Airport, Florida, and from US Ainvays, proposing one nonstop round trip to Will Rogers World

Airport in Oklahoma City.

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

However, I can assurc you that all applications received by the U.S. Department of

Transportation will be given due and careful consideration.

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

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

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT.OST-2000-7182.

I appreciate your interest in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland

Assistant Secretary for

Aviation and International Affairs
510-121220-007

JACK CHRISTIE, D.C.

Houston City Council Member, At-Large 5

December 12, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHOOd

Secretary ofTransp0l1ation

1200 Ne\v Jersey A \ CI1UC. 5.E.

Washington, DC 20590

Rc: Docket No. DOT-OST-2000-71 112

In the interest of promoting airline competition, afTordable airfares, and greater acCCSShetween the

Nation's Capital and Greater Houston, \ respectfullyl'equest Ihe Deplll1menl ofTransporlat;on to

approve Southwest Airlines' application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington

National AiI'port (DCA). Southwest proposes to use these 'slot exemptions to begin daily nonstop

service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport. Today, there is no scheduled air service between

Ihe two airports.

Through new competition, lower airfares, and Ihe usc of a I43-seat aircrali, Southwest's proposed

service is projected to attraettens-of-thousand of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of

consumer benefits annually in thc DCA-Houston market. Business and leisure travelers stand to

benefit if Southwest is able to bring low-fare competition to the Houston-DCA market.

1respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwest Airlines' application

for two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you for your consideration of this imponant millter.

Sincerely,

Jack Christie, D.C.

Houston CilYCouncil Member, At-Large 5

Ce: Graeiela Saenz; Saenz & Burkhardt

Telephone (832) 393-3017 • P.O. Box 1562 • Houston, Texas 77251-1562 • 900 Bagby, I" Floor

.atlargc5@houstonrx.gov