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## MENT OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

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## PcRATIONS

The Honorable Mike 

### J. Rogers U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Rogers: March 22, 2012 

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Thank you for your letter concerning the recent decision ofthe United States Court ofAppeals finding that the U.S. Department ofTransportation must return two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Republic Airline, Inc. Those exemptions were being operated by Sun Country Airlines for nonstop service from DCAto Lansing, Michigan. You note that since the exemptions were granted to Sun Country, the Lansing Airport Authority has made a significant investment to support that service. Yo.u also note that approximately 48,000 passengers have taken advantage ofthe flight thus far, and that the service has provided $1.2 million in added revenue to the airport authority. In light ofthose factors, you ask that we seek to rectify this situation so as to enable Sun Country to continue its service. On March 5, 2012, the Federal Aviation Administration {FAA) granted Sun Country .two slots to continue, without interruption, its flights from DCA to Lansing's Capital Region International Airport. A copy ofFAA's Grant ofExemption is losed. As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response i cket NumberFAA-20 12-0089. IfI can provide further information or

Ray LaHood Enclosure



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## ______________________________ ----),. MiKE ROGERS DJH 0JST11tC1'. MICHIGAN
133 CAt.moN f·Joust: Orne£ BLI•lCJINt;, WI\SI<!NGlOr., DC 20515 1202) 225-4972 1202) 226-5920fAx 1000 WEST ST. JOSErtl SuiTE300 LANSING, Ml 48915

(517) 702-l!OOO (517)702-l!642 FAX 

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# T.!?ouse ofll\epresentatibes ilmtasbington, 1\QC 20515-2208 (877) 333-MIKE TOLL·fREE WVNt**mjkeroge~~** The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Michel Huerta Acting Administrator Federal AviationAdministration 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 Re: Sun CountryAirline January 25, 2012**COMMITT~ES:** PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEe ON INTElLIGENCE ENEAGV AND COMMEnCE SUOCOMMtiTEt:S: HEAlTH**COMM~INICA**TIONS. TECHNOLOGY, AND THE INTERNET

I write this lettertoday regarding my concerns with the recent courtdecisionto rescind the Washington-Regan National slot from Sun Country Airlines. Last year I fully supported Sun Country's effort to obtain the first connectionbetween Michigan's capital city and ournation's capitol. The Department ofTransportation (DOT) approved their application which fulfilled the specific parameters DOT soughtto fill the slot. Since that time, the Lansing Airport Authority has invested over $300,000 advertising the route as well as making updates to their facility. The flight has carried over48,000 passengers to Washington, DC and has provided $1.2 million in added revenueto the airport authority. This court ruling goes beyond the Sun Country slot. The DOTshould be able to make these decisions based on need without interference from the courts. I look forward to your promptresponse on how we rectify this situation.

810-120207-010 Sincerely,

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# c-1**~~** Mike 

### J. Rogers Member ofCongress

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