SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Robert W. Kneisley

Associate General Counsel
1901 L Street, N.W.

– Suite 640
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 263

- 628 4
(202) 263

- 6291 Fax
bob.kneisley @wnco.com

_______________________________________________________________________________

March 27, 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 Beyond

- Perimeter Slot Exemption s (DCA

- Austin); Docket DOT

- OST

- 2012

- 0029

Dear Ms. Kurland :

Please find attached a packet of letters supporting Southwest Airlines’

A pplication for two beyond

- perimeter slot exemptions for daily, nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Austin

- Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) , with single

- plane beyond service to San Diego (SAN) . These letters come from a diverse array of elected officials and organizations from Austin , the State
of Texas, and throughout the United States.

Sincerely,

_________________ ____ Robert W. Kneisley

cc: All parties on Southwest’s service listLetters Supporting
Southwest Airlines’ Proposed DCA

– Austin Service

The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, United States Senator

The Honorable John Cornyn, United States Senator

The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson, Member of Congress

The Honorable Lloyd Doggett, Member of Congress

The Honorable Lamar Smith, John Carter and Michael McCaul, Members of
Congress

The Honorable Daniel Webster, Member of Congress

The Honorable Le e Leffingwell, Mayor of Austin

The Honorable Kirk Watson, Texas State Senator & Former Mayor of Austin

The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte, Texas State Senator

The Honorable Robert Rivera, Arlington (Texas) City Council Member

Arturo Vargas, Executive Direc tor, National Association of Latino Elected and
Appointed Officials

David Teel, President and CEO, Texas Travel Industry Association

Mary Ann Kellam, Chair, Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas

Andrew Martinez, President & CEO, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of

Commerce

Gloria Rubio

- Cortes, President, National Civic League

Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr., President, United States Hispanic Leadership Institute

Thomas A. Saenz, President & General Counsel, Mexican American Legal

Defense and Education Fund

Mickey Ibarra, Founder & Chairman, Latino Leaders Network

Frank Alvarez, President & CEO, Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Diane Tomb, President & CEO, National Association of Women Business

Owners

Dr. E. Faye Williams, National Chair, National Congress of Black Women

Dr. Cath y Gorn, Executive Director, National Historic Day

Dr. Loui Olivas, President, American Association of Hispanics in Higher

Education

Mario Lopez De Leon, Executive Director, National Association of Latino Arts and

Culture

Rick Leal, President, Hispanic Med al of Honor Society
Kenneth D. Bynum, Chairman, Northern Virginia Urban LeagueMayor Lee Leffingwell · 301 Willie Nelson Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78701 · www.mayorleffingwell.com Office (512) 974-2250 · Fax (512) 974-2337 · Lee.Leffingwell@austintexas.gov



### March 12, 2012

Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation

400 Seventh Street SW Washington, DC 20590

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am writing in strong support for the awar d of slot exemptions (Docket No. OST-2012- 0029) for Southwest Airlines to provide service between Washington Reagan National Airport and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). As Mayor of the Capital City of Texas and on behalf of the citizens I represent, I urge you to consider the following as you make this important decision.

The citizens of Austin have worked hard for and supported service additions by new carriers, particularly Southwest, the largest carrier at ABIA. The community recognizes the economic and social benefits of strong low cost service and actively supports competition. You can be assured that awar ding this exemption to Austin will be successful and create long term public benefits.

The City of Austin is the owner and operato r of ABIA which has enjoyed 25 consecutive months of passenger growth an d which set another passenger record in 2011. ABIA is the third largest airport in Texas (after DF W and Houston IAH) an d serves 5.1 million Texans residing within 100 miles of ABIA. Nonstop service between the capital of Texas and the capital of the U. S. is long overdue.

Austin has important commercial and govern mental links with Washington, D.C. Twenty-nine Austin companies are headquartered in the D.C. area and Austin is home to

a dozen national associations. In addition to the natural linkages between the capital of the third largest state and the U. S. capital, Austin’s high tech industry provides IT services to a variety of federal agencies. The growing local economy in Austin relies on quality air service to foster business, government and leisure travel.

The City of Austin is committed to complian ce with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request

### Award of these slots to Austin would be in support of the key criteria outlined in the order establishing the process for making this award. These slots will greatly enhance

service to ABIA. New Southwest service will greatly improve competition in this market and produce public benefits of lower fares. In addition, these slots will result in increased capacity and greatly improve serv ice options at ABIA for both business and

leisure carriers.

Again, I would appreciate your careful and favorable consideration to the Southwest petition and award the slot exemptions n ecessary to allow nonstop service from Austin to Washington Reagan National Airport.

Sincerely,

Lee Leffingwell Mayor

The City of Austin is committed to complian ce with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon requestMary Ann Kellam

HWNT State Chair (214) 287-5710 Chair@hwnt.org Board of Directors

2011-2013

Mary Ann Kellam
Dallas, Texas

State Chair

Dr. Mary Jane Garza Corpus Christi, Texas

State Chair-Elect

Dora Trinidad-Campos
San Antonio, Texas

State Vice Chair of Membership

Maricela Martinez
Dallas, Texas State Secretary

Marti Cascio
Austin, Texas

State Treasurer

Helen Cedillo
San Antonio, Texas

State Parliamentarian

Eva Bonilla
Fort Worth, Texas

State Education Chair

Rita Rodriguez-Utt
Fort Worth, Texas

Immediate Past State Chair

State Office Staff

Lupe Morin

Executive Director

Gloria Ann Garcia

Administrative Assistant

Patricia Duran

Webmaster

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 327
Austin, TX 78767 o/f (512) 481-1600

Website www.hwnt.org March 15, 2012

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

Re: Docket DOT-OST-2012-0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

On behalf of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (HWNT), I am writing in strong support ofSouthwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions (or one roundtrip flight) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Ai rport (DCA). With the au thorization to fly beyond DCA’s 1250-mile perimeter, Southwest proposes to operate the first-ever daily nonstop flight between Austin-Bergstrom International Airp ort (ABIA) and DCA. Such a “capita l-to-capital” flight would be a huge success and merits the Department of Tr ansportation’s favorable consideration.

The Austin area is one of the most vibrant, dynamic and economically and culturally diverse communities in the country. The Austin area is home to dozen s of major corporate and nonprofit headquarters and features one of the world’s largest high-tech cente rs. Austin is also emerging as a center for pharmaceutical and biotechnol ogy companies. Other major empl oyers include the public sector, including the City of Austin, the State of Texas and the U.S. Government. With approximately 5 million people residing within driving distance of ABIA, gr eater Austin is also one of the largest communities without existing nonstop service to DCA.

As evidenced by the hundreds of travelers who fly be tween ABIA and DCA on an average daily basis on connecting itineraries, there is clearly strong dema nd for a daily nonstop flight connecting these two capital cities. Furthermore, with Southwest’s proj ected lower fares for nonstop ABIA-DCA travel, new consumer demand would be created on top of the existing demand by business and leisure travelers, all of which will benefit the local economy.

In its application, Southwest proposes serving th e Austin-DCA route with its new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This plane would be the largest in So uthwest’s fleet (175 seats), resulting in significant economic and competitive benefits to both ABIA and DCA travelers. Moreover, with dozens of daily nonstop flights at ABIA, Southwest’s proposed Austin-DCA flight would provide benefits to travelers in other markets through convenient one-stop and connecting opportunities from ABIA.

Based on these reasons, I respectfully ask for the Department of Transportation’s careful and favorable consideration of Southwest’s application for nonstop service between Austin and DCA. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Kellam

HWNT State Chair (214) 287-3710 chair@hwnt.org Promotes the advancement of Hisp anic women in Public, Corporate and Civic Life through Education and Professional DevelopmentOFFICERS Hon. Sandra Freedman, Chair Elizabeth Hollander, Vice Chair
Jack Van Sambeek , Treasurer Charles Ozaki, Secretary

Gloria Rubio

- Cortes, President

DIRECTORS

Christine Benero

Hon. Michael Burke

James A. Cloar

Dr. Jarvis Hall
Suzanne Hildick

John Klimm

Hon. Sharon Metz Terrence “Terry” Minger

Hon. Bev Perry

Mark Pisano
Hon. David M. Sander Dr. Lyle Wray

FORMER BOARD CHAIRS Robert Rawson, Jr. („ 04

- „ 07) Dorothy S. Ridings (‟00

-- 04) Hon. R. Scott Fosler (‟98

- „00) Hon. Bill Bradley („96

- ‟98) Hon. John Gardner (‟94

- ‟96) Hon. George Latimer („93) Hon. Henry G. Cisneros („89

- ‟92) Hon. William F. Winter („88

- ‟89,‟ 93) Terrell Blodgett („87

- ‟88) James L. Hetland, Jr. („82

- ‟86) Hon. William W. Scranton („70

- ‟73)

NATIONAL CIVIC LEAGUE National Headquarters
1889 York Street Denver, CO 80206 Tel.: (303) 571

- 4343 FAX: (888) 314

- 6053 ncl@ncl.org
www.ncl.org

Home of the

All

- America City Award 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

- 2012

- 0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

On behalf of the National Civic League, I write to voice my strong support for Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for daily nonstop
service between Washington National Airport (DCA) and the City of Austin.

Because of the lack of effective low

- fa re competition, DCA travelers have endured inadequate travel options and high average ticket prices for years.

With Southwest’s 40

- year history of providing low

- fare completion and with a nationwide route map that is second

- to

- none among low

- cost airlin es, Southwest is in the best position to bring competitive benefits to DCA. Moreover, as the nation’s largest domestic airline, Southwest would bring
competitive benefits to markets beyond DCA

- Austin. This would include several cities with few travel opt ions to DCA today and which would benefit

from one

- stop or connecting opportunities via Austin.

Finally, Southwest proposes serving the DCA

- Austin market

– as well

as same

- plane, continuing service to/from San Diego

– with large Boeing
aircraft (i.e., the 737

- 800 with 175 seats). Large plane service will ensure that DCA’s limited slot authorizations are used in a manner that serves the greatest
public benefit.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask for the Department of Transportation’s approv al of Southwest’s application in the above

- referenced proceeding.

Sincerely,

Gloria Rubio

- Cortes President, National Civic League431 S. Dearborn St. y Suite 1203 y Chicago, IL 60605-1152

Phone 312-427-8683 y Fax 312-427-5183 March 19, 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-2012-0029 Dear Secretary LaHood:

As President of the United States Hispanic Leader ship Institute (USHLI), a Chicago-based national nonprofit organization with an executive office in Washington, DC, I am writing to respectfully convey my strong support for Southwest Airlines and its application fo r daily nonstop service between Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Austin, TX.

As a member of a coalition of 30 national and re gional policy advocacy organizations representing the Latino community and serving most of its 50 million people, USHLI members utilize DCA frequently in meeting our travel needs. And, as part of a 16-member association of national organizations that focus on cor porate responsibility, USHLI and se veral other association members also frequently utilize DCA. Because of the lack of effective low-fare competition, DCA travelers including USHLI have endured inadequate travel op tions and high average ticket prices for years.

Southwest Airlines has a distingu ished 40-year history of providing low-fare competition and the highest quality in customer service with a natio nwide route map that is second-to-none among lowcost airlines, Southwest is in th e best position to bring competitiv e benefits to DCA. Moreover, as the nation’s largest domesti c airline, Southwest would bring co mpetitive benefits to markets beyond

DCA-Austin. This would include several cities w ith few travel options to DCA today and which would benefit from one-stop or c onnecting opportunities via Austin.

Finally, Southwest proposes serving the DCA-Aus tin market – as well as same-plane, continuing service to/from San Diego – with large Boeing ai rcraft (i.e., the 737-800 series with 175 seats). Large plane service will ensure that DCA’s limited slot authorizations are used in a manner that serves the greates t public benefit.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Departme nt of Transportation to approval the application submitted by Southwest Airlines in the above-referenced proceeding.

Sincerely,

Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr

PresidentMarch 19, 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

- 2012

- 0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

I write on behalf of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, to voice support for Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for daily nonstop service between Washington National Airport (DCA) and the City of Austin.

As a Washington, DC, chartered nonprofit, we spend a good deal of time in Texas, where we have awarded $72,129,601 to deserving students, the majority of whom are first in their family to complete college. Because of the
lack of effective low

- fare competition, DCA travelers to Austin, like ourselves, have endured inadequate travel options and high average ticket prices for years.

Southwest, throughout it s 40

- year history of second

- to

- none low

- cost and high quality service, has proven to bring

co mpetitive benefits to cities across the nation. HSF is proud to have their support in our mission to strengthen our country through Generation First Degree, a national campaign to place a college degree in every Latino

Household. Moreover, as the nation’ s largest domestic airline, Southwest is well positioned to bring competitive
benefits to markets beyond DCA

- Austin. This would include cities with few travel options to DCA.

Southwest proposal to serve DCA

- Austin with same

- plane continuing service to/f rom San Diego would greatly shorten travel time and increase our effectiveness and it is for these reasons we request Department of Transportation approval of Southwest’s application in the above

- referenced proceeding.

Sincerely,

Frank D. Alvarez
President & CEO Hispanic Scholarship FundMarch 20, 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

- 2012

- 0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

On behalf of the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®), I am writing to express
my support for Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for daily nonstop service between
Washington National Airport (DCA) and the City of Austin, Texas . With our recent relocation to
Washington, DC, NAWBO staff and members utilize DCA more than ever for their business travel needs.

As you know, the lack of effective low

- fare competition has resulted in DCA travelers enduring

inadequate travel options a nd high average ticket prices for years.

Southwest’s 40

- year history of providing low

- fare completion coupled with a nationwide route map that

is second

- to

- none among low

- cost airlines, ideally positions them to bring competitive benefits to DCA.

Addit ionally, Southwest’s proposal to serve the DCA

- Austin market

– as well as same

- plane, continuing
service to/from San Diego

– with large Boeing aircraft (i.e., the 737

- 800 with 175 seats) would ensure

that DCA’s limited slot authorizations are used in a man ner that serves the greatest public benefit.

I respectfully ask for the Department of Transportation’s approval of Southwest’s application in the

above

- referenced proceeding.

Sincerely,

Diane Tomb

President & CEOMarch 20, 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

- 2012

- 0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

On behalf of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) , I write to voice my strong support for Southwest Airlines’(Southwest’s) application for daily nonstop service between Washington National Airport (DCA) and the City of Austin. As an organization based in Washington, DC,

our members utilize DCA frequently in meeting our travel needs. Because of the lack of effective low

- fare competition, DCA travelers have endured inadequate travel options and high average ticket prices for

years.

With Southwest’s 40

- year history of providing low

- fare co mpletion and with a nationwide route map that is

second

- to

- none among low

- cost airlines, Southwest is in the best position to bring competitive benefits to

DCA. Moreover, as the nation’s largest domestic airline, Southwest would bring competitive benefits to
markets beyond DCA

- Austin. This would include several cities with few travel options to DCA today and

which would benefit from one

- stop or connecting opportunities via Austin. Having additional flight

destination options , especially direct routs greatly benefits consumers.

Finally, Southwest proposes serving the DCA

- Austin market

– as well as sa me

- plane, continuing service to/from San Diego

– with large Boeing aircraft (i.e., the 737

- 800 with 175 seats). Large plane service will ensure that DCA’s limited slot authorizations are used in a manner that serves the greatest public benefit. In summary, maximizing passenger load via direct destinations is a value added service to custmomers.

For thes e reasons, I respectfully ask for the Department of Transportation’s approval of Southwest’s application in the above

- referenced proceeding.

Sincerely,

Dr. Loui Olivas

President AAHHE

480.727.8210
olivas@asu.edu

### Hispanic Medal Of Honor Society
2099 Market Street

San Francisco,Ca. 94114

Email: ggr1031@aol.com

T~I. (415) 310-0138

March 22, 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 -2012-0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

On behalf of the Hispanic Medal of Honor Society, I am writing in strong
support for Southwest Airlines (Southwest's) in their desire to offer daily nonstop service between Washington National Airport (DCA) and the City of Austin, Texas.

As an organization based in California, our Society and associates usually fly
Southwest. It is a smooth-running, dependable, very comfortable airline, quite popular with Californians. As you are probably aware, 50% of the

nation's Hispanics live in California and Texas, making considerable use of
travel between the two states.

Within our nation, air flight has become increasingly the transportation of

choice. Southwest's f!exibility, low rates, and organizational strategies and
methods for providing their excellent service, should be recognized and
rew,arded by approving their flight expansion.

Within my experience, I have found Southwest's history of providing lowfares and a nationwide route map second-to-none among low-cost airlines.

As the nation's largest domestic airline, Southwest would bring competitive

benefits to markets beyond DCA-Austin connections. It would surely

facilitate flights to DCA and would provide the greatest public benefit.

### For these reasons, I respectfully ask for the Department of Transportation'!: approval of Southwest's application in the above-referenced proceeding.

SincerelMarch 19, 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-2012-0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

On behalf of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC), I write to voice my strong support for Southwest Airl ines’ (Southwest’s) application fo r daily nonstop service between Washington National Airport (DCA) and the City of Austin. As a national organization with members in Washington, DC and Austin, we travel frequently to DCA. Due to the lack of effective low-fare competition, DCA travelers ha ve endured inadequate travel options and high average ticket prices for years.

The National Association of Latino Arts and Cu ltures recognizes Southwest’s 40-year history of providing low-fare competition and with a nation wide route map that is second-to-none among low-cost airlines, Southwest is in the best position to bring competitive benefits to DCA. Moreover, as the nation’s largest domestic airline, Southwest would bring competitive benefits to markets beyond DCA-Austin. This would include several cities with few travel options to DCA today and which would benefit fr om one-stop or connecting opportunities via Austin. This expanded travel access is partic ularly important to NALAC’s work of sustaining the creative and

cultural needs of our nation.

Finally, Southwest proposes serving the DCA-Austin market – as well as same-plane, continuing service to/from San Diego – with large Boeing aircraft (i.e., the 737-800 with 175 seats). Large plane service will ensure that DCA’s limited slot authorizations are used in a manner that serves the greatest public benefit.

For these reasons, I respectful ly ask for the Department of Transportation’s approval of Southwest’s application in the above-referenced proceeding.

Sincerely,

Maria Lopez De Leon

Executive Director1315 Duke Street ● Alexandria, VA 22314

703

- 836

- 2858/phone ● 703

- 836

- 8948/fax www.nvul.org

- CFC #49537

March 22 , 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

- 2012

- 0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

On behalf of The Northern Virginia League , I write to voice our strong support for Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for daily no nstop service between Reagan National Airport (DCA) and the City of A ustin. As an organization based five miles from DC A , our members utilize DCA frequently in meeting our travel needs. Because of the lack of effective low

- fare competition,

DCA t ravelers have endured inadequate travel options and high average ticket prices for years.

With Southwest’s 40

- year history of providing low

- fare completion and with a nationwide route map that is second

- to

- none among low

- cost airlines,

Southwest is in t he best position to bring competitive benefits to DCA. Moreover, as the nation’s largest domestic airline, Southwest w ould bring competitive benefits

to markets beyond DCA

- Austin . This would include several cities with few travel options to DCA today and which would benefit from one

- stop or connecting opportunities via Austin

.

Finally, Southwest proposes serving the DCA

- Austin market

– as well as

same

- plane, continuing service to/from San Diego

– with large Boeing aircraft (i.e.,

the 737

- 800 with 175 sea ts). Large plane service will ensure that DCA’s limited slot authorizations are used in a manner that serves the greatest public benefit.

As a non

- profit organization we fully support Southwest for it’s efforts to

make travel affordable in these uncerta in economic times. For these reasons, I respectfully ask for the Department of Transportation ’ s approval of Southwest ’ s application in the above

- referenced proceeding.

Sincerely, 

## Kenneth D. Bynum

Kenneth D. Bynum, Esquire
Chairman, Board of Directors Board of Directors

Kenneth D. Bynum, Chair Bynum & Jenkins, PLLC Keith E. Taylor, Vice Chair

2 nd Wave, LLC Ryan Myers, Treasurer Pretlow Myers Financial Group Chasiti Dawson, Secretary

The Adellsen Group
Steven Baker Metropolitan Washington Airport s Authority
Marion Barnwell Retired Military Huey Battle Washington Gas Darrell L. Crapps

SENTE L John Fountaine, Ph.D.

Fountaine Consultants
W. James Green Northrop Grumman
Ronald K. Hobson Virginia Commerce Bank Tyron L. Johnson
Xerox, Retired Executi ve Herb Long, III Capstone Risk Management, LLC
Michael E. Melton MEM Enterprises Angela Moody

EDJ Associates

, Inc.
Gerald Padmore Young Professionals Network Gregory Pickett

First Citizens Bank
James A. Simms

Frito

- Lay, Inc

. Richard Simpkins

NOVAUL Guild Alotta E. Taylor NASA Headquarters Danyelle Taylor

Lockheed Martin Rudolph Tota

Cox Business

Legal Counsel Daryle Jordon Patrick Henry LLP