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HAVIMIE 

641 S. Hebron Avenue • P.O. Box 5125 

Evansville. Indiana 47715-5125 U.S.A. • (812)477-8833 

www.haynielravel.com 

The Honorable Ray LaHood ^^ c'.;. 

Secretary of Transportation —, i^T^i' ^ 

U.S. Department of Transportation ' —'^''-' ^ 

400 7"* Street, SW.. Washington DC 20590 — 0^= } 

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August 27,2010 _ 305^2 : 

Secretary LaHood: O oS ^ 

The Evansville Regional Airport plays a key role in connecting southern Indiana and 

northwest Kentucky to the rest of the nation. But the Airport has, for too long been 

saddled with liigh average airfares, suppressing travel, and forcing businesses to look 

elsewhere when thinking about expansion. 

In the Great Lakes region Evansville has the highest average fares - averaging $225 each 

way as of the year ended first quarter 2010, or S450 round trip. Evansville is the single 

most expensive medium-sized market in which to fly in or out in the entire Great I^e s 

region. 

It could get worse this fall, as Delta Air Lines, following its merger with Northwest, has 

announced it will leave the Evansvilte-Memphis market. This loss of seats will 

exacerbate the fare pressure in the Evansville market - the Airport must do something to 

bring lower fares to the region. 

Low fare leader AirTran has expressed interest in serving Evansville. But in order for 

AirTran to take a risk in launching service to a new city in the current economic 

environment, it will require a revenue guarantee to offset potential losses during the start 

up phase. 

1 endorse the Airport's application for its Grant, and await a favorable decision from the 

Department of Transportation. 

Sincerel)j 

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Robert M. Haynie 

President/Owner 

VsvetAgencv, 

Evansville Regional Airport - Small Community Air Service Development Grant - August 2010 O I 
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ALCO A 

Alcoa Rigid Packaging 

Warrick Opc.-Bisns 

Stats Rout9 66 

PO Box 10 

N9v/burgh. IN 47629-0010 USA 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

400 7'" Street, SW., Washington DC 20590 

August 27, 2010 

Secretar)' LaHood: 

As you know, transportation infrastructure plays a key role in economic development, and the 

Evansville Regional Airport is an important asset in connecting its Tri-State region to the rest of the 

nation. 

As the top manager at Alcoa Warrick Operations, which employs more than 1,900 employees in 

Southern Indiana, I support the Evansville Regional Airport's application for a U.S. Department of 

Transportation grant. TTie airport is tr>'ing to attract a low-fare leader, AirTran. While the carrier has 

expressed interest in Evansville's market, airpon officials say the airline company needs a revenue 

guarantee to help offset potential losses during the start-up phase. 

Evansville's airport makes a strong case for some assistance. It has the highest average fares in the Great 

Lakes Region, and it is also the most expensive medium-sized market in the same region. Also, with 

Delta's decision to eliminate one of its connections in Evansville, the fare pressure in the local market Is 

unlikely to improve unless the airport can offer lower fares to its customers. 

As a large employer, wc attract prospective employees from across the United States, and some of our 

employees travel to other Alcoa locations, both domestically and abroad. Sp, from that experience, we 

know all too well that the Evansville Regional Airport is often saddled with higher-than-average fares, • 

which force some to look for travel alternatives. 

As a business leader, I'm adding my. voice to others from this region who request a favorable decision 

on the Evansville Regional Airport's grant application. 

Sincerely, 

Ed Hemmcrsbach 

Location Manager, Rigid Packaging DiNision 

Alcoa Warrick Operations 

Evansville Regional Airport -Small Community Air Service Development Grant-August 2010 29