U.S.Departmentof Transportation OfficeoftheSecretary ofTransportation



### Ms. Denise McGinn President Association Guidance 1895 Ridgewood Drive EastLansing, MI 48823 Dear Ms. McGinn: Assistant SecrEitary 

## SEP 14 2015 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590



### Thank you for your letterregarding continued service between Lansing's Capital Region International Airport (LAN) and Ronald Reagan WashingtonNational 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 onhis behalf. As you may be aware, the DepartmentofTransportation (Department) along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enabled this service by granting Sun Country two slotexemptions (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 ifSun Country ceased operations inthe LAN-DCA market. Since Sun Country announced that the service will be discontinued, the Departmenthas 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 onthe matter due by September 17, 2015. We are currently reviewing what steps to take next. IfIcanprovide further information or assistance, please feel free to contactme. As is our normal practice, Iam placing a copy ofyour letter and this reply in the docket. Sincerely,

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International AffairsAugust 20, 201

### S Secretary Anthony Foxx U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave. SE Washington, D.C. 20590
RE: American Airlines SlotExemption- DocketNumberFAA-2015-3491 

### Dear Secretary Foxx:
On behalfofAssociation 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 WashingtonNational 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 ofAmerican Airlines' application is vital to maintaining lowfares and convenient schedules for passengers traveling to Washington, D.C. FAA approval would also spur the additional benefit ofAmerican 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 decisionwill impact ouremployees, clients, conference attendees, speakers, and entertainers. American Airlines' application represents a "win-win-win" opportunity that will help create and retainjobs in Michigan, grow ourregional economy and ensure Lansing's airport remains a cornerstone ofourregion's business development strategies.
Your immediate approval ofthis application, so that American Airlines can begin offering the servicefrom LAN toDCA startingNovember 

### 5, 2015, will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely,

# ~~CAf I Denise McGinn, CAE, CT A President
CC: Susan Kurland, BrandonBelford and Kathryn Thomson of 1895 Ridgewood Drive Department ofTransportation East Lansing. Ml 48823



# s10-150904-003RobertF. Selig, President and CEO, Capital Region 517-333-3628 International Airport Fax: 517-333-3628 Email: associationg93@aol.com Website: www.associationguidance.com