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INl',:HNATIONAL AlnPOJ:IT 1873 Shell Simmons Drive. Ste. 200,Juneau, Alaska 99801 · (907)789-782. FAX: (907)789-1227

Mr. Todd Homan Director, Office ofAviation Analysis US Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590
Dear Mr. Homan: November 17, 2014

Juneau International Airport has recently learned that the Department ofTransportation is considering cutting Essential Air Service (EAS) between certain Southeast Alaska communities and Juneau. On behalf ofthe Juneau International Airport, Airport Board, we objecttothis decision and urge the Secretary of Transportation to maintain this vital service to our outlying Southeast Alaska communities and Juneau.
Juneau and the majority ofthe outlying southeast rural communities are only accessible by water or air. As such} the Small CommunityAir Service provision ofthe Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 designated those communities across the nation, specifically, Alaska, which were listed as EAS communities. This list names approximately 19 communities in Southeast Alaska. The EAS list was updated in November 

### 2013 1 with no change to Alaska (see original listfrom 1978 http://www.dot.gov/policy/aviation-policy/smallcommunity-rura1-air-service/essentia1-air-service). Afterthe 1978 Act was signed into Law, the Civil Aeronautics Board was tasked to determine eligible hubsforthe EAS communities within a set timeframe. In 1980Juneau was officially designated as the hub forthese Southeast communities (see CAB Determination 80-1-167) and established minimum levels of EAS from the communities in orderto meet DOT Order 80-1-167 (http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.dev/files/docs/AK Determination 2012.pdf). The list also determines thatJuneau is the Hub/Regional Pointfor EAS to/from Sitka. Sitka is only listed as a Regional Pointfor one community (Port Alexander).
As you may already know} the communities ofAngoon, Pelican and Tenakee Springs have already weighed in this issue} supportingJuneau as their (EAS} hub. (It is our understandingthat Elfin Cove could also be impacted by this EAS change.) Arguments ranging from maintainingthe current frequency ofair service, to the need to cometo Juneau fortheir medical and native corporation business. Additionally, the US Mail is sorted in Juneau for deliverytothese communities} as well as groceries and staples shipped from Juneau to these communities. The Juneau-based Air Carriers serving these communities have purchased the aircraft equipment and secured the personnel to maintain the required minimum service outlined in the DOT Order. Service to/from these communities to Sitka does not meetthe intent ofthe Law/Act. Sitka is not a hub and is no substitution for the service to the Juneau hub.Todd Homan, Director Office ofAviation Analysis US DOT -Page 2- A change to the Essential Air Service forthese communities (whether suspending EAS service or changing EAS flights to Sitka) would disrupt the aviation balance and commercethatJuneau provides to these EAS communities. The communities do not wantthis, Juneau opposes this and local commerce would be negatively impacted. Please maintain the Essential Air Service between these Southeast Alaska communities and Juneau. Sincerely,

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# ~~ Jerry Godkin Chairman, Juneau International Airport Board Copy: Senator Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Senator Mark Begich, Alaska Congressman Don Young, Alaska Mayor Merrill Sanford, City and Borough ofJuneau City Manager Kim Kiefer, City and Borough ofJuneau