Mayor Percy Bland, III Office: (601) 485-1927 Fax: (601) 485-1911
City Council
GEORGE M. THOMAS Ward l K Dustin Markham Ward2 BARBARA HENSON Ward3 Kim Houston Ward4 Randy Hammon WardS COUNCIL CLERK Office: (60I) 485-1959 Fax: (601) 485-1913on

City Departments ChiefAdministrative Officer Office: (601) 485-1929 Fax: (601) 485-1911 CommunityDevelopment Office: (601) 485-1910 Fax: (601) 484-6813 Finance and Records Office: (601) 485-1946 Fax: (601) 485-1979 Fire Office: (60I) 485-1822 Fax: (601) 485-1878 Homeland Securitv Office (60I) 484-6890 Fax: (601) 484-6895 Parl<s and Recreation Office: (601) 485-1802 Fax: (601)485-1851 Police Office: (60 1) 485-1841 Fax: (601) 484-6832 Public Worlts Office: (601) 485-1920 Fax: (601)485-1864

601 23rd Avenue Post Office Box 1430 Meridian. MS 39302-1430

www.mcridianms.org Michael Martin Transportation Industry Analyst Of11.ce ofAviation Analysis U.S. Deprutment ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Room W86-472 (West Building) Washington, DC 20590
RE: Order 2014-4-24 June 18, 2014

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Dear Mr. Martin: '"'""····'"""• I •···:,**~,:** " Thank you for forwarding to me the bid proposals solicited bythe'·U.S. · Department ofTransportation for air service to Meridian, Mississippi. My office has carefully studied the proposals submitted by Aerodynamics, Inc. and ExpressJet. We have concludedthatthe ExpressJet submissionis unequivocally the superior proposal. While we appreciate the interestboth airlines have shown in serving the Meridiru1 market, we strongly endorse the ExpressJetbid for the following reasons:

• The Express.Tet proposal is a codeshare with American Airlines at DFW airport. American's DFW operation connects to hundreds of U.S. destinations and many international destinations. The Aerodynamics, Inc proposal is unbranded and currentlyhas no codeshare or interline agreements inplace. Clearly, the ExpressJet proposal gives our local and regional travelers muchbetter options. "ExpressJet is approved by DoD to CaiTY the military. Much of Meridian'straffic is military. In addition, reinstating flights for military personnel will give our community added benefits should the military decide to initiate another round ofbase closures. NAS Meridian is an extremely significant contributor to our local economy. This approval will allow us to recoverthose military personnel who have not been able to use the Meridian airp01t due to Silver's lack ofDoD approval. Aerodynamics, Inc advised us their DoD approval is dormant and would require re-inspection by DoD. "ExpressJethas DOT Economic authority for scheduled passenger service. Aerodynamics, Inc. isjust applying for this authority and it is unclear how long approval could take.Since the two bids were made public, I have heard from a number oflocal residents, all ofwhom agree that ExpressJet is, by far, the better option. The City ofMeridian strongly urges DOT to award the bid for passenger air service to ExpressJet. These views are representative ofthe community as a whole; no other entities representing the community will be submitting official comments. I ask that the DOThold Silver Airways inthe Meridian market until relieved byExpressJet. Thank you for your assistance in this matter ofvital interest to our community's continued growth and economic viability.

# ~E~ Percy Bland, III

# ~/ Mayor