o 

U.S. Department Assistant secretary 1200 N V Jersey Avwiue. 3E 

of Transportation •- washimaton. DC zosw 

Office of the SBcretaiy ' ' 

of Transportation -* 

MAR 1 0 2010 

Ms. Evon Emerson -^ 

President and CEO _,5J! 

Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce ^ : ^ ^^] 

117 West Garden Street _1 J J: R3 

Pensacola, FL 32502 ' ^ '^ ' § 

- ^ 

Dear Ms, Emerson: '. j ' ^ 

Thank you for your letter supportmg a proposed transaction between US Airways and Delta Air 

Lines, by which Delta would exchange certain slot interests at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA) for certain US Airways slot interests at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). 

On February 9, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a tentative determination 

approving the proposed transaction, but subject to certain conditions. It tentatively found that the 

public interest would best be served if the potential harm created by the increased concentration 

at the airports were counterbalanced by affording new opportunities for competition by new 

entrant and limited incumbent carriers. Specifically, the tentative finding would require 

divestiture of 14 pairs of slot interests at DCA, and 20 pairs of slot interests at LGA, to such 

carriers. 

The proposed determination was published in the Federal Register on February 18 (75 Fed. Reg. 

7306), with a closing date for comments from interested persons of March 22,2010. After 

receipt and review of the conmients, we will take such further action as appropriate. 

A copy of your letter has been placed in the docket for the proceeding, FAA 2010-0109. That 

docket also contains a copy of the tentative determination and other relevant documents, should 

you wish to follow developments in the matter. It is accessible through the Federal 

Government's regulations website, http://www.regulatioDs.gov. 
If I can provide further information or assistance, please feel free to call me. 

Sincerely yours. 

Sl(l-000^)2.-.-(M4 

'•it 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary 

for Aviation and International Affau-s 
PENSACOLA 

Biny Area Chamber of Commerce 

September 10. 2009 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Deparlment ar Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue. S.E. 

Washington. DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

Recently US Airways and Delia announced an agreement to exchange slots at both Reagan Washington 

l*4ational Airport (DCA) and LaGuardia (LGA). We are writing today lo express our strong support for this 

slot ti^nsaclion as it provides benefits of importance to our community and state. 

US Airways has announced that upon consummation of this agreement and in accepting 42 slots from 

Delia at DCA they will p«iovide Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport, the largest airport stretching over 

400 miles from New Orleans to the west and Jacksonville to ^e east, writh nonstop service to Reagan 

Washington National /^rport. We have long sought such servrce as the benefits to our nation's capital will 

provide needed business, numerous defense and aerospace contractors and military direct access lo 

Washington. 

In addition, because US Airways has a well established network system at Reagan Washington National 

Airport, our northwest Florida and southeast Alabama travelers will have the abMity to easily connect with 

major cities, particularly throughout the East. Such access is vital to our economic development and we 

are excited with this opportunity. 

Obviously, for us to achieve this service the plan must bs adopted as a single entity and we urge your 

Kiput for the endorsement of this agreement 

Thank you for your consideration of this exciting and consumer-driven opportunity. 

Sincerely, 

Evon Emerson 

Presidenl/CEO 

cc: Honorable RarKJolph Babbitt 

Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminislration 

800 Independence Avenue. SW 

Washington. DC 20591 

117 West Garden Street * Pensacola, FL 32502 

P O Box 550 * Pensacola. FL 32591-0550 

Telephor>cS50.438.408I * Telefax 850.438.6369 

\^'ww.pensacolachamber.com