BEFORE THE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

____________________________________________ 

 ) 

Supplements to Comments of ) 

 ) 

 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS ) Docket No. OST-2012-0029 

 ) 

in support of Applications of Southwest Airlines, ) 

Inc., and JetBlue Airways, Inc. for an exemption ) 

pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 41718 (g) (2) to provide ) 

new nonstop service between Ronald Reagan ) 

Washington National Airport and ) 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport ) 

___________________________________________ ) 

SUPPLEMENTS TO COMMENTS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN 

IN SUPPORT OF 

THE APPLICATIONS OF SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, INC. 

AND JETBLUE AIRWAYS, INC. 

Communications with respect to this document should be addressed to: 

Jim Smith 

Executive Director 

Jim.Smith@austintexas.gov 

Jamy Kazanoff 

Assistant Director 

Jamy.Kazanoff@austintexas.gov

 

March 27, 2012 
SUPPLEMENTS TO COMMENTS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN 

IN SUPPORT OF 

THE APPLICATIONS OF SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, INC. 

AND JETBLUE AIRWAYS, INC. 

I. Introduction 

 The City of Austin, as the owner-operator of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport 

(“AUS”), respectfully submits the following comments and letters from in support of the 

Applications of Southwest Airlines (“Southwest”) and JetBlue Airways (“JetBlue”) for an 

exemption from subparts K and S of 14 C.F.R. Part 93. 

Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 41718(g) (2), as enacted by the FAA Modernization and Reform 

Act of 2012 (FAA 2012), and the Department of Transportation’s (“Department”) February 24, 

2012 Order, the City of Austin, as the owner-operator of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport 

(“ABIA”), on behalf of the 16 elected leaders, their more than 2.0 million constituents, twentyone Austin area Business and Economic Development groups, two major Universities, the Austin 

CVB and Texas Department of Transportation, four National associations based in Austin and 

the AFSCME, Local 1624, these letters in support of Southwest Airlines, Inc. ("Southwest”) and 

JetBlue Airways, Inc. (“JetBlue”), for an exemption from subparts K and S of 14 C.F.R. Part 93, 

to permit Southwest and JetBlue to operate daily roundtrip flights between Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (“DCA”) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (“ABIA” and 

“AUS”). 

II. Representations 

 Each of the following letters outline the importance of nonstop air service from 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for their 
respective constituents, economic and business development, academic enrichment, tourism and 

quality of life. 

These letters are in addition to those submitted by The Honorable Rick Perry, Governor 

of Texas, as well as The Honorable Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn and U.S. 

Representative Lloyd Doggett. Numerous private individuals have and may continue to submit 

comments directly to the Department. The following letters of support include and are submitted 

on behalf of: 

United States Federal Legislative Contingent 

Congressman John R. Carter 

Congressmen John R. Carter, Lamar Smith, Michael McCaul 

Texas Legislative Contingent 

Dawnna Dukes 

Donna Howard 

Eddie Rodriguez 

Elliott Naishtat 

Esperanza "Hope" Andrade 

Jeff Wentworth 

Kirk Watson 

Mark Strama 

Stephen E. Ogden 

Central Texas Mayors 

City of Austin, Mayor Lee Leffingwell 

City of Bastrop, Mayor Terry Orr 

City of Georgetown, Mayor George Garver 

City of San Marcos, Mayor Daniel Guerrero 

Austin Area Businesses/Economic Development Groups 

Austin Board of Realtors 

Brookfield Residential 

Campus2Careers 

Capital City African American Chamber of Commerce 

Convio 

Dell, Inc. 

Emerson Process Management 
ETS - Lindgren 

Focus Embedded 

Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody 

Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce's Air Service Task Force 

Harden Healthcare 

Heldenfels Enterprises 

IBM 

Livestrong 

Lockhart Economic Development Corporation 

Lockhart Industrial Foundation 

Nomadesk's 

Seton Healthcare Family 

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. 

Texas Association of Realtors 

Universities 

The University of Texas System 

Texas State University 

Tourism 

Austin Convention & Visitor's Bureau 

Texas Department of Transportation 

Conventions / Associations 

American Association of Physicists in Medicine 

American Society of Plant Biologists 

National League of Cities 

Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society 

Unions 

AFSCME, Local 1624 

 

III. Letters 


CDawnnaCDuk§s HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

P.O. Box 2910

Austin, Texas 78768-2910

(512) 463-0506

District 46

Travis County

March 19,2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood

Secretary of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Mr. Secretary LaHood:

As a State Representative representing Austin and Northeast Travis County, I

wholeheartedly support nonstop service between the Nation's capital from Ronald

Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to the Texas capital at Austin-Bergstrom

InternationalAirport(AUS).Austinisthe 14thlargest- andthe thirdfastest-growingcity in the United States with an MSA population of 1.8 million. This is a thirty-seven

percent increase since 2000. Moreover, this population is projected to reach 2 million in

just three years. AUS has grown right along with the city.

Clean, safe, reliable nonstop air transportation is vital to Austin's continued growth.

Austin has been ranked as "America's No.1 Boom Town" by Forbes magazine. It has

been named as one of the "Top 10 American Cities of the Future" by tDi Intelligence.

Austin's unique blend of easy-going vibe and energetic capitalism has attracted residents

and visitors from across the country and around the world. While the SXSW and ACL

musical festivals and other entertainment events draw an ever-increasing number of

leisure visitors, the SXSW Interactive Conference and leading research institutions

examine pressing issues of technology and public policy that also attract and retain

leading figures in business and academia.

Consistent contributions to America's cultural, political, and intellectual life by Austin

have helped many. Your award of the necessary slots for nonstop AUS-DCA service will

ensure these contributions continue. Thank you for your consideration of Austin during

this process. Please contact me if I may provide any further assistance to you during this

process.

Sincerely,

D~Dukes

State Representative, District 46

Committees: Appropriations; Appropriations Su6-committee on J{ea{tfi and J{uman Services-Vice Cfiair

Appropriations Su6-committee on Stimu{us; CuCture, ~creation and Tourism















Tuesday, March 20, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I am writing to express campus2careers.com’s whole hearted support for the efforts to 

secure nonstop service from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Washington, 

D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). DCA-AUS service is an important 

route for our booming area, both for Austin and the entire Central Texas region. 

Austin is the only city/airport with two carriers seeking to provide nonstop service. Awarding 

slots for DCA-AUS will increase capacity, reduce fares, and greatly improve service options for 

our employees and visitors alike. Linking these two capitals saves valuable time too, at least two 

hours of travel time in each direction. 

campus2careers is headquartered in Austin but will be making regular trips to the Washington 

DC area due to work we have planned with Startup America, the VA, and the Department of 

Labor. A direct flight to DCA would make these opportunities even more exciting for us. 

Importantly, Austin leads the nation’s largest metropolitan areas in job growth. We are the 14th

largest city in the nation and the third fastest growing. By 2015, our Austin metropolitan area is 

expected to reach two million. Growing communities support air service. 

I look forward to the DCA-AUS approvals. Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Nathan Green, President of campus2careers 


 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

March 20, 2012 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I am writing on behalf of Dell, Inc. to express our unified support for the efforts to secure nonstop service 

from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). DCA-AUS service is an important route for our booming area, both for Austin and 

the entire Central Texas region. 

Dell is a global technology services and solutions company headquartered in the Central Texas region for 

more than 27 years. Dell is proud to employ more than 14,000 individuals in the Austin area and over 

100,000 individuals worldwide. 

As you probably know, Dell has a long and successful history of serving our government customers in both 

the civilian and defense agencies. As an IT services organization, we collaborate directly with our customers 

to build technology solutions that serve both short and long-term needs. Given the large number of customers 

in the Washington, DC area, we view non-stop service to DCA as a critical enabler for future growth and 

business development. 

I was pleased to see that Austin was the only city/airport with two carriers seeking to provide nonstop service. 

Awarding slots for DCA-AUS will increase capacity, reduce fares, and greatly improve service options for 

our employees and visitors alike. It will also save valuable travel time and increase productivity, eliminating 

at least two hours of transit time in each direction. 

Dell is proud to have its headquarters located in the Central Texas region. We live in a vibrant, growing 

region that needs more air service options. Importantly, Austin leads the nation’s largest metropolitan areas 

in job growth. We are the 14th largest city in the nation and the third fastest growing. By 2015, our Austin 

metropolitan area is expected to reach two million. Growing communities support air service. 

I believe the economics and growth potential for Austin strongly support the award of a slot exemption to 

allow non-stop air service between DCA-AUS. I look forward to your positive approval. Thank you in 

advance for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Dane Parker 

Vice President, Global Facilities 

Dell, Inc. 


PO Box 270096 

Austin, TX 78727 

www.focusembedded.com

A Dillotronics Company

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary, US Dept of Transportation 

Washington, DC 

Dear Mr. LaHood: 

It recently came to my attention that slots have opened up for a non-stop air service route between our 

home city of Austin, Texas and Washington, D.C., and I’d like to take a moment to thank your organization for 

considering such a move. 

Being in the field of high tech, there are a few cities that stand out as preferred destinations for the 

members of our organization, and Washington, D.C. tops that list. In particular, the nearness of Reagan National to 

the Federal Triangle and its easy access to Capital Metro makes it an extremely attractive alternative to BWI and 

IAD. 

The particular problem for business travel (and the reason non-stop service to the nation’s capital is so 

important) is that much of the business we’d like to transact is work we could do in a day trip – were it not for the 

fact that without non-stop service, with time zones working against us, by the time a traveler from Austin has made 

connecting flights through Houston or Dallas, on arrival in the DC area, half a working day is already lost. Thus, a 

non-stop is something we’d fly regularly. A route with even one layover gives us another reason to stay home. And 

that’s not good for business in either city. 

We’re extremely fortunate that our local airport, Austin-Bergstrom is extremely well prepared to take the 

extra traffic, and they’ve shown that over the last few years, as other markets have declined in passenger traffic and 

Austin’s has grown, they’re quite capable of expanding service. 

With a nation at large in need of employment growth, Austin is a city that was last into and first out of the 

current recession and has led the country in new job creation. What’s driven this has consistently been high-tech. 

And since we have a federal government that recognizes that we need to lead the world in brainpower if we’re to be 

economically competitive globally, the connection between the two cities is that much more critical. 

I therefore respectfully urge you to see to it that the connection between Austin and DC is served with the 

addition of a slot (or slots, plural) for non-stop service between the two capital cities. 

Best regards, 

Eric D. Overton 

CEO, Focus Embedded 

Abercorn International 

Advanced Micro Devices, 

Inc. 

Angelou Economics 

Austin Bergstrom 

International Airport 

Austin Convention and 

Visitors Bureau 

Bazaarvoice 

Circuit of the Americas 

City of Austin- Economic 

Development 

Coldwell Banker United 

Realtors 

Dell, Inc. 

Dillotronics 

Emerson Process 

Management 

Freescale Semiconductor 

Freese & Nichols 

Fulbright & Jaworski 

L.L.P. 

Gemalto 

Homeaway 

Jackson Walker L.L.P. 

Monaco Star Events 

National Instruments 

Oxford Commercial 

PayPal 

Round Rock Chamber of 

Commerce 

St. Edwards 

Stanberry and Associates 

Temple-Inland 

Texas State 

Tokyo Electron U.S. 

Holdings, Inc. 

University of Texas at 

Austin - University 

Extension 

Winstead PC

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I am writing on behalf of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Air Service Task 

Force to express our unified support for the efforts to secure nonstop service from 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). DCA-AUS service is an important route for our 

booming area, both for Austin and the entire Central Texas region. 

Our task force membership and business community have demonstrated strong support 

and need for “Capital to Capital” service. The fact that Austin was the only city/airport 

with two carriers seeking to provide nonstop service further validates that the airlines 

also see the need and understand the economics. Awarding slots for DCA-AUS will 

increase capacity, reduce fares, and greatly improve service options for our employees 

and visitors alike. 

Austin has important commercial and governmental links with Washington, D.C. 

Twenty-nine Austin companies are headquartered in the D.C. area and/or have 

reciprocal operations in Austin. Additionally, our high tech industry provides IT 

services to a variety of federal agencies. Net, we have strong and deep connections 

between business and government that will continue to foster demand for air service. 

Austin is the 14th largest city in the nation and the third fastest growing. By 2015, our 

Austin metropolitan area is expected to reach two million. Austin has led job growth in 

the U.S. over the last five years, and we continue to outpace the nation in new job 

creation. Growing communities support air service. 

I believe the economics and growth potential for Austin strongly support the award of a 

slot exemption to allow non-stop air service between DCA-AUS. I look forward to 

your positive approval. Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Doug Driskill 

Chair, Air Service Task Force 






Nomadesk NV • Xavier De Cocklaan 66-5 • 9830 Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium • Tel +32 9 233 68 86 

Nomadesk INC • 7000 N Mopac • Suite 390, Austin Texas 78731 • Tel 512 3449019 1

Secure Business Class File Sharing

7000 N Mopac, Suite 390

Austin, Texas 78731

Phone: 512.344.9019 x 204

E-Mail: melanie.bartlett@nomadesk.com

Web: www.nomadesk.com

March 21, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood

Secretary

US Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am writing to express Nomadesk’s whole-hearted support for the efforts to secure nonstop service from 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National 

Airport (DCA). DCA-AUS service is an important route for our booming area, both for Austin and the entire 

Central Texas region.

Austin is the only city/airport with two carriers seeking to provide nonstop service. Awarding slots for DCAAUS will increase capacity, reduce fares, and greatly improve service options for our employees and 

visitors alike. Linking these two capitals saves valuable time too, at least two hours of travel time in each 

direction. 

The nonprofit organization with which I am also involved, Women’s Transportation 

Seminar (WTS), which you Mr. Secretary have formally announced an alignment with, 

would also benefit from this nonstop service from AUS to DCA. We are planning on 

sending several of our new mentor-protégé groups (which were created to strengthen 

STEM and Transportation YOU initiatives) to future DC Youth Summits as our program 

continues to grow. (Thank you for your support of this as well!)

Importantly, Austin leads the nation’s largest metropolitan areas in job growth. We are the 14th largest city 

in the nation and the third fastest growing. By 2015, our Austin metropolitan area is expected to reach two 

million. Growing communities support air service.

I look forward to the DCA-AUS approvals. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Melanie Bartlett

Director of Marketing

TEL 512.531.3900 

FAX 512.478.2461 

www.spartnerships.com 

March 20, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I am writing to express Strategic Partnerships, Inc.’s interest in and whole hearted support for the efforts 

to secure nonstop service from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Washington, D.C.’s 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Because we have an office in Washington D.C., 

we would definitely be potential passengers. Many of our employees are there on a weekly basis. 

Austin is the only city/airport with two carriers seeking to provide nonstop service. Awarding slots for 

DCA-AUS will increase capacity, reduce fares and greatly improve service options for our employees 

and visitors alike. Linking these two capitals saves valuable time, too (at least two hours of travel time in 

each direction). 

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. is a global company headquartered in Austin employing 30 individuals in the 

U.S. While we are definitely a small firm, our clients fly to Austin monthly and our client roster is made 

up of very large firms such as AT&T, Northrop Grumman, Cisco, Oracle, Pitney Bowes, Johnson 

Controls, Inc. and Greyhound. 

We work for many of our clients in all 50 states so our employees are frequent flyers. We view nonstop 

service to DCA an important element in our growth plans for the future. 

Importantly, Austin is the 14th largest city in the nation and ranks third in the rate of growth. By 2015, 

the Austin metropolitan area is expected to reach two million. 

I look forward to the DCA-AUS approvals. Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Mary Scott Nabers 

President/CEO 

Barton Oaks Plaza One, Suite #100 | 901 S. Mopac Expressway | Austin, Texas 78746 





The Association’s Journals are Medical Physics and Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics

Member Society of the American Institute of Physics and the International Organization of Medical Physics 

American Association of Physicists in Medicine 

One Physics Ellipse 

College Park, MD 20740-3846 

(301) 209-3350 

Fax (301) 209-0862 

http://www.aapm.org 

March 19, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I write in support of the applications filed by both Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways for exemption 

slots at Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), for nonstop capital to 

capital service to Austin. 

Our association has contracted to bring our 56th AAPM Annual Meeting to Austin over the dates of July 

20-24, 2014. Our convention will bring an estimated 4,400 attendees to Austin. Many of these attendees 

will come from the Washington, DC Metro area. Last year, over 8% of our annual meeting attendees 

traveled from the DC metro area to the meeting. Members of our association are not required to attend; 

rather driving attendance to the convention is one of our association’s major tasks. Ease of access to 

Austin will be major criteria when our DC area members determine if they will attend our event. Nonstop service from DCA will have a positive impact on our attendance numbers. 

Among others, the state-of-the-art Austin Convention Center is a key reason for our selection of the city 

of Austin to host our annual convention. The Austin Convention Center is a gigabit-rated facility, capable 

of moving one billion bits of data, voice or video at one billion Bits per second. ACC recently achieved 

Gold LEED Certification for Existing Building from the US Green Building Council making it the first in 

Texas and second in the country to do so. 

Additionally, Austin’s vibrant entertainment districts offering live music at over 200 venues in a very 

compact, walkable downtown environment will be a draw to our members who are interested in 

networking with each other after sessions conclude. 

I urge you to award the slot exemptions necessary to serve DCA on a nonstop basis from Austin, Texas. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Karen MacFarland, CMP 

Meetings & Programs Manager 
March 19, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I write in support of the applications filed by both Southwest Airlines and JetBlue 

Airways for exemption slots at Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA), for nonstop capital to capital service to Austin. 

Our association has contracted to bring our Plant Biology 2012 and 2016 to 

Austin over the dates of July 20-24, 2012 and July 9-13, 2016. Our convention 

will bring an estimated 3,000 attendees to Austin. Many of these attendees will 

come from the Washington, DC Metro area. Members of our association are not 

required to attend; rather driving attendance to the convention is one of our 

association’s major tasks. Ease of access to Austin will be major criteria when 

our DC area members determine if they will attend our event. Non-stop service 

from DCA will have a positive impact on our attendance numbers. 

Among others, the state-of-the-art Austin Convention Center is a key reason 

for our selection of the city of Austin to host our annual convention. The Austin 

Convention Center is a gigabit-rated facility, capable of moving one billion bits 

of data, voice or video at one billion Bits per second . ACC recently achieved 

Gold LEED Certification for Existing Building from the US Green Building Council 

making it the first in Texas and second in the country to do so. 

Additionally, Austin’s vibrant entertainment districts offering live music at over 

200 venues in a very compact, walkable downtown environment will be a draw 

to our members who are interested in networking with each other after sessions 

conclude. 
I urge you to award the slot exemptions necessary to serve DCA on a nonstop 

basis from Austin, Texas. Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Jean Rosenberg 

Director of Meetings 

American Society of Plant Biologists 
March 22, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I write in support of the City of Austin’s desire to attain nonstop capital to capital service 

between the City of Austin and Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National 

Airport (DCA) from any airline who may be applying for exemption slots that currently exist. 

The National League of Cities (NLC) has contracted to bring our annual Congress of Cities and 

Exposition to Austin over the dates of November 18-22, 2014. Our convention will bring 

approximately 5,000 attendees to Austin. Some of these attendees and most of NLC’s staff will 

come from the Washington, DC Metro area. Ease of access to Austin will be major criteria when 

our DC area members determine if they will attend our event. We believe non-stop service from 

DCA will have a positive impact on our attendance numbers. 

Among others, the state-of-the-art Austin Convention Center (ACC) is a key reason for our 

selection of the city of Austin to host our annual convention. The Austin Convention Center is a 

gigabit-rated facility, capable of moving one billion bits of data, voice or video at one billion 

Bits per second . ACC recently achieved Gold LEED Certification for Existing Building from 

the US Green Building Council making it the first in Texas and second in the country to do so. 

Additionally, Austin’s vibrant entertainment districts offering live music at over 200 venues in a 

very compact, walkable downtown environment will be a draw to our members who are 

interested in networking with each other after sessions conclude. 

I urge you to award the slot exemptions necessary to serve DCA on a nonstop basis from Austin, 

Texas. Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Janice Pauline 

Director, Center for Conferences, Education and Training 

National League of Cities