WLNS 

i'ANSING.-JAGKSONi 

February 9, 2012 

Docket Management Facility 

U.S. Department ofTransportation. 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.. 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 

Washington, DC 20590 

Sun Country Slot Exemption - Docket Number FAA-2012-0089 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 

"iRANSPORTATIOM 

•^•'•::;KET0PLR^F1GN S 

Sun Country Airlines has requested an exemption from the siot limit for Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA) set forth in § 93.123(a), to pennit the FAA to create 

air carrier slots during certain limited hours lor Sun Country's use. The proposed air 

carrier slots would replace two slot exemptions under DOT Order 2010-12-16 awarded to 

Sun Country. On January 6. 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of 

Columbia Circuit vacated the DOT Order, and Sun Countr>' will lose its existing service 

between DCA and Lansing's Capital Region International Airport. Specifically, Sun 

Countt-y desires one daily slot during each of the 1000 and 1100 hours. The proposed 

exemptionwould permit Sun Country to continue operating its existing services and 

avoid an inequitable result of the Court's order. 

Please carefully consider and approve Sun Country Airlines request for continued weekly 

air service between Lansing Michigan's Capital Region International Airport and 

Washington DCs Reagan National Airport. This air ser\'ice provides tremendous benefit 

to (he over-all economic vilalily of Mid-Michigan. 

We believe this to be an incredibly important ser\'ice to our Stale and region. As 

Michigan's State Capitol, Lansing is centrally located in Michigan. The convenience of 

Lansing's CapjtaJ_R.?gii?n Int^mationalAirport to business travelers has proved to be an 

asset to not only Lansing business travelers but also to those from all over Mid-Michigan7 

Lansing is also home to one of General Motors newest and most technologically 

advanced, state of the art, 4 billion dollar automobile manufacturing plants and also to 

Michigan Stale University, one of the World's leading Research and Technology Centers. 

Financial data and usage figures obtained from Sun Countr\' Airlines current ser\'ice 

clearly indicates that service from Lansing to Washington DC has quickly become a 

preferred resource to business travelers in Lansing and tl\roughout the Mid-Michigan 

area. We believe that Michigan business and pleasure travelers deser\'e the continued 

benefit of having the ability to utilize regularly scheduled fiight options, at reasonable 

fares, to and from Lansing and Minneapolis as provided currently by Sun Country 

Airlines. 

Young Broadcasiing Inc. • WLNS-'rV • 2S20 \l. Saginaw Street • Lansing. Ml 48912 • Phone (517) .172-8282 Fax (517) 374-7610 
Request for Exemption 

Page Two 

Thank you in advance for your careful consideration to this vitally important issue. Your 

lavorable ruling can and will create a positive economic impact on the great Stale of 

Michigan. 

The Sun Country DCA service is essential to the economic growth of the Greater Lansing 

Region. The daily service is the only large aircrafi (737-800) service lo Washington 

'Reagan-Airportrin'lhe'stateof'Michiganoutsideof Detroit. Prior-to-Sun Country;-lhe_-

regional community had requested the introduction of this service from numerous other 

airline operators without success. Accordingly, it is critical that the FAA lake the 

necessary steps to ensure the continuation of the Sun Country slots at the established 

fiight times in support of Greater Lansing's business and economic growth. 

Your immediate approval of this exemption, so that sim Country can begin lo enter 

nights schedules for sale for the balance of 2012, will be greatly appreciated. 

Sincerely. 

Ernie Hedberg 

Account Executive 

WLNSTV-6 WHTVMY-18 

Voung Broadcasting Inc. • WLNS-TV . 2820 C. Saginuw Sircct • Lansing, M! 48912 • Phone (517) 372-8282 Fax (517) 374-7610