u.s. Department 

of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

The Honorable Daniel Webster 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515-0908 

Dear Congressman Webster: 

Assistant Secretary 

April 20, 2012 

Thank you for your letter supporting the application of Southwest Airlines for two beyondperimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest's 

application proposes to serve Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Texas, with one round trip 

per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Southwest's application on March 12. Other timely applications were received 

from Air Canada, proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Alaska Airlines, one 

round trip to Portland, Oregon, and one round-trip to San Diego; Frontier Airlines, one round trip 

to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, 

Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin, Texas; Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las 

Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to San Francisco. 

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

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

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

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

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT-2012-0029. 

I appreciate your interest in this matter. 

Sincerely yours, 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
Mar .... 26. 2012 5:25PM ,.. .. 

DANIEL WEBSieh · ,'"' Bm DISTRICT, fLOAIDA 

COMMITIEE ON RULES 

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March 26~ 2012 

The Honorable Susan Kul'land 

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Assistant Secretat•y for Aviatlon and International Affairs 

U.S. Depa1·bnent ofT1'Bnsportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.B. 

Washlngton, DC 20S90 

Re: Southwest Airlines DCA-AUS Application, Docket DOT MOST ·20 12·0029 

Dear Ms. Kurland: 

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Commercial aviation plays an imp011ant !'Ole in my district, which includes major aviation facilities in and around 

Orlando International Ailport (MCO). MCO is fortunate tq have a diverse and competitive mix of airlines, which 

helps to cxpa11d travel options and keep ticket prices Jow for my constituents. As a f\·equent traveler to and from 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), I have experienced firsthand the impact ofDCNs lack of 

airline competition. Not surprisingly, DCA has some of the highest average airfat·es in the Nation, especially if 

measured on a p,er mile.basis. 

The U.S. Department ofTranspot·tatlon has an historic oppolitlnlty to increase the level of competition and travel 

opcions at DCA; As the Nation's largest low-cost tlidine and with a proven, 40-year history offostei'lng competition 

and stimulating air travel in the markets it enters. Southwest Airlines (Southwest) is in the best position to bring 

competitive bene~ts, including lower average ticket prices, to DCA. 

f'o1· ~his reason, I strongly suppmt Southwest's app1ication for fwo beyond~ perimeter slot exemptions that were 

created through the recently enacted F M Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P .L. 112-95). Southwest 

proposes to use these two slot exemptions for daily nonstop service between Austin, Texas and DCA using its new 

Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 175 seats. 

An award of two beyond-perimeter slot e:xemptions to Southwest, utilizing such a large aircraft, would go a long 

way to expand competition, capacity and service options at DCA. as well as improve ac¢ess and lower ticket pl'ioes 

for travelers who seek m01·e pohvenient and affot·dable travel options to and from the Nation•s Capital. 

I ask that you wiiJ give serious consideration to Southwest's proposal for a new route between DCA and AUS 

@ht 

Daniel Webstor 

Member of Congress 

K 1 ~ 120405-00 3 

EMAIL VIA WEOSITE: wtJb•W MuM; 90\' 

PRINTED ON 1\ECVCLED PAPER 
Mar.-16. 2012 5:24PM No. 0741 P. 

FAX 

Congressman Daniel Webster 

Serving Florida 1S B'h Congressional District 

Pages (including cover):.---.::2-==--------------

K 1-'120405-003 

Washington, D.C 

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