THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

\V,A.SHINGTON DC 20590 

The Honorable Luis G. Fortufio 

Governor of Puerto Rico 

San Juan, PR 0080 I 

Dear Governor Fortufio: 

July 17, 2012 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the consortium between the 

Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation for a· grant under the 

U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service Development Progran1. 

The Small Community Air Service Development Program was established to help smaller 

communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to. high airfares or 

insufficient service. Under the statute, the Department may make a maximum of 40 grant 

awards each year, although no more thanA awards may be to communities in the same State. 

In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service 

deficiencies, the statute provides flexibility in the types of projects that can be funded. 

On May 15, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in receiving a 

grant this year file their applications by June 11. As these grant requests are pending before the 

Department, I cannot comment on the merits of any patiicular proposal. I assure you that the 

Department will give full and fair consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed. 

As is our normal practice, I am placing a 

DOT-OST-2012-0069 as a contact o 

this program. 

of your letter ahd this response in Docket 

record of this matter. I app iate your interest in 
Jun. 8. 2012 3:56PM 

Lu1s G. FoRTUiiiO 

GovERNoR 

June 11. 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretory . 

OOVERNMENT OF PUERTO RICO 

U.S. Deportment of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE · 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: · 

No. 1691 P. l 

... 

On behalf of the 3.7 million U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico, I write to express 

my full support for the application s.ubmltfed by the consortium between the 

Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation 

{RIAC} (collectively, the "Consortium"), under fha FY 2012 Small CommunHy Air 

Service· Developm~nt .. Program, fo provide scheduled air service between the 

· munlcfpollfles of Culebra and San Juan in Puerto Rlco and between Bloc!< Island 

and Providence In Rhode Island. 

Throughout my administration, we ·have Implemented creative initiatives and 

new reforms to create a better business envfronmenf In Puerto Rico and position 

the Island for long-term growth. our tourism sector is a vital part of our economy 

and our focus and efforts In .this sector continue to produce results, sustaining 

Puerto Rico's position as the largest air services market In the Caribbean. 

·This new direct service . between Culebra and San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin 

Airport (SJ.U} provides a key addition to our ongoing efforts ond creates new 

· opportunities for Puerto Rico's residents and visitors. Dfrect air access to rich and 

·unique tourist destinations in Puerto Rico, such as Culebra Island, Is essential fa 

expanding our tourism sector. This direct link to SJU increases accessibility to 

culepra Island and provides passengers with greater ease of connection to 

onward flights. This service would also provide economic benefits to the 

residents ond. IOC<;JI businesses of Culebra by providing greater access to 

government and commercial services as well as business and Job opportunlfles · 

LA FOATAI.I!ZA, 8AH JUNt, PR 00901 • PO Sax 9020082, SNf JURI, PR ll090Z.0082 

Ta:(187) 721·7000 • f'NC (187) 722-4300 
Jun. 8. 2012 3:56PM 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Page2 

June 11,2012 

No. 1691 P. 2 

ln the larger metropolitan oreo as well as Increasing the customer base for local 

hotel, restaurant and retail businesses. 

I thank you for your consl9eratlon of this proposal and look forward to fh~ 

sucaessfullmplementaflon of fhis project under fhe FY 2012 Small Community Air 

Service Development Program. The Consortfum's proposed seasonal service to 

Culebra and Block Island Is vital for the continued economic and tourism 

development fn both Puerto Rico and Rhode Island. 

Sincerely, 

Q 

I '