.. ·:n4 0 - -', :~''-~' ,J MENT OF 

THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION .~K~fPOO~TAT/QN WASHINGTON, o.c. 20590 · ' PcRATIONS 

The Honorable Mike J. Rogers 

U.S. House ofRepresentatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Rogers: 

March 22, 2012 

ZOIZ t1AY 2q A iO: I O 

Thank you for your letter concerning the recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals 

finding that the U.S. Department of Transportation 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 DCA to 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. Y o.u also note that approximately 

48,000 passengers have taken advantage of the flight thus far, and that the service has provided 

$1.2 million in added revenue to the airport authority. In light of those 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 of FAA's Grant of Exemption is losed. As is our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response i cket Number FAA-20 12-0089. 

If I can provide further information or 

Ray LaHood 

Enclosure 

....__ ______________________________ ----
),. 

MiKE ROGERS 

DJH 0JST11tC1'. MICHIGAN 

133 CAt.moN f·Joust: Orne£ BLI•lCJINt;, 

WI\SI<!NGlOr., DC 20515 

1202) 225-4972 

1202) 226-5920 fAx 

1000 WEST ST. JOSErtl 

SuiTE300 

LANSING, Ml 48915 

(517) 702-l!OOO 

(517)702-l!642 FAX 

(!Congress of tbe Wniteb ~tates 

T.!?ouse of ll\epresentatibes 

ilmtasbington, 1\QC 20515-2208 

(877) 333-MIKE TOLL·fREE 

WVNt mjkeroge~~ 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey A venue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Michel Huerta 

Acting Administrator 

Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence A venue, SW 

Washington, DC 20591 

Re: Sun Country Airline 

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 letter today regarding my concerns with the recent court decision to rescind 

the Washington-Regan National slot from Sun Country Airlines. 

Last year I fully supported Sun Country's effort to obtain the first connection between 

Michigan's capital city and our nation's capitol. The Department of Transportation 

(DOT) approved their application which fulfilled the specific parameters DOT sought to 

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 over 48,000 

passengers to Washington, DC and has provided $1.2 million in added revenue to the 

airport authority. 

This court ruling goes beyond the Sun Country slot. The DOT should be able to make 

these decisions based on need without interference from the courts. 

I look forward to your prompt response on how we rectify this situation. 

810-120207-010 

Sincerely, 

~-· ~~ c-1 

Mike J. Rogers 

Member of Congress 

POINT£0 ON RECYCL(O rAPER