ACTIO N 

Greater Jamaica 

Development 

Corporation 

SI0-'I00318-03 ^ 8 

90-04 161 Street 

Jamaica, NY 11432 

718 291-0282 

Fax 718 658-1405 

www.gjdc.org March 11,2010 

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Docket DQT-OST-2010-0018 

CZ) 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I am writing on behalf of Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, one of the 

country's oldest and largest community development entities. Greater Jamaica Development 

Corporation is a community-building organization that plans, promotes, coordinates and 

advances responsible development to revitalize Jamaica, Queens and strengthen the region. 

Marshalling the resources of the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, the Corporation's 

work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and 

economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region, which benefits from rational, 

well-planned and sustainable metropolitan growth. For over forty years, GJDC has advocated 

a comprehensive strategy of building upon Downtown Jamaica's strong transportation and 

infrastructure assets as an essential foundation for attracting new investments, affordable 

housing, cultural and civic activity, retail and conunercial activity, and employment and 

entrepreneurship opportunities. GJDC's focus and dedication to its core mission have made 

significant contributions to transforming Downtown Jamaica into a sustainable, healthy, 

attractive, and prosperous destination place for those who live and work there. GJDC has 

worked collaboratively with a diversity of government, community, corporate, and 

foimdation partners to make the following contributions to the growth of Downtown Jamaica. 

With Jamaica adjacent to John F. Kennedy International Airport, the competitiveness of 

major carriers operating at the airport is of great concern to us. 

I respectfully ask you to approve American Airlines' request for allocation of two daily 

U.S.-Haneda slot pairs to operate year-round scheduled air transportation fi-om New York and 

Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda. American's proposed service clearly represents the best public 

interest use for two of the four frequencies to be awarded in this proceeding, as New York and 

Los Angeles are far and away the largest travel markets between the U.S. mainland and Tokyo. 
Furthermore, American's proposed service will provide significant connecting 

opportunities, providing benefits to even more consumers. A total of 17 U.S. cities will enjoy online service beyond New York in one or both directions, and 20 beyond Los Angeles. All 10 of 

the largest U.S. mainland-Tokyo markets will gain on-line service to Haneda under American's 

proposal, including San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Boston, Orlando, 

and Portland through roundtrip connections. 

I encourage the Department of Transportation to approve American's application, as it 

will benefit the broadest public interest and will have a positive impact on air travel by offering 

customers more service, scheduling and pricing options to choose from. 

American Airlines is an important employer and a key driver of economic activity in 

Southeast Queens. In these difficult financial times, I would respectfully request you support 

American's efforts to remain a strong, viable competitor in the transatlantic market. The 

economic vitality of Jamaica is dependant upon the aviation industry, the borough's largest 

employer. I am grateful for your consideration, and thank you for your support. 

F. Carlisle Towery 

President 

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