U.S. Department of 

Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

Ms. Denise McGinn 

President 

Association Guidance 

1895 Ridgewood Drive 

East Lansing, MI 48823 

Dear Ms. McGinn: 

Assistant SecrEitary 

SEP 14 2015 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Thank you for your letter regarding continued service between Lansing's Capital Region 

International Airport (LAN) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). As you 

noted, Sun Country has announced that it will discontinue that service on October 1, 2015, and 

you support American Airlines' request to replace Sun Country's nonstop LAN-DCA service. 

Secretary Foxx has asked me to respond on his behalf. 

As you may be aware, the Department of Transportation (Department) along with the Federal 

Aviation Administration (FAA) enabled this service by granting Sun Country two slot exemptions 

(over and above the slot ceiling) at DCA. The exemptions were granted explicitly to Sun Country 

to provide nonstop LAN-DCA service with the proviso that they be returned to the FAA if Sun 

Country ceased operations in the LAN-DCA market. Since Sun Country announced that the 

service will be discontinued, the Department has received a proposal from American Airlines to 

provide replacement nonstop LAN-DCA service. The FAA has opened a docket for this 

proceeding (FAA-2015-3491), with public comments on the matter due by September 17, 2015. 

We are currently reviewing what steps to take next. 

If I can provide further information or assistance, please feel free to contact me. As is our 

normal practice, I am placing a copy of your letter and this reply in the docket. 

Sincerely, 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
August 20, 201 S 

Secretary Anthony Foxx 

U.S. Department ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave. SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

RE: American Airlines Slot Exemption- Docket Number FAA-2015-3491 

Dear Secretary Foxx: 

On behalf of Association Guidance and our employees in Lansing, Michigan, I am writing you 

in support of American Airlines' request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to 

continue nonstop daily air service between Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in 

Lansing, Michigan, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). 

Flights from Lansing to Washington, D.C., are at risk following Sun Country Airlines' 

announcement that it will leave the Lansing market effective October 1, 2015. The route from 

Lansing to Washington, D.C., is a real benefit to numerous mid-Michigan businesses, 

associations and Michigan State University. FAA approval of American Airlines' application is 

vital to maintaining low fares and convenient schedules for passengers traveling to Washington, 

D.C. FAA approval would also spur the additional benefit of American Airlines offering three 

daily flights from LAN to Chicago O'Hare International Airport beginning in early 2016, 

providing mid-Michigan travelers with direct connections to other national and international 

destinations. 

As an event planning company, we are greatly impacted by air travel in our region. This 

decision will impact our employees, clients, conference attendees, speakers, and entertainers. 

American Airlines' application represents a "win-win-win" opportunity that will help create and 

retain jobs in Michigan, grow our regional economy and ensure Lansing's airport remains a 

cornerstone of our region's business development strategies. 

Your immediate approval of this application, so that American Airlines can begin offering the 

service from LAN to DCA starting November 5, 2015, will be greatly appreciated. 

Sincerely, 

~~CAf I 

Denise McGinn, CAE, CT A 

President 

CC: Susan Kurland, Brandon Belford and Kathryn Thomson of 1895 Ridgewood Drive 

Department of Transportation East Lansing. Ml 48823 

s 10-150904-003 

Robert F. Selig, President and CEO, Capital Region 517-333-3628 

International Airport Fax: 517-333-3628 

Email: associationg93@aol.com 

Website: www.associationguidance.com