f^ 

U.S.Department o( ^ ' • ' ' ' • • " • !;::'/':'-

Transportation ' ' ' .-= J 

Office of the Secretar/ August 23, 2010 

of TransportoTion :. ^' 

r"TT :;-?:•>;:' 

Hie I loiionihlc (ircgoiio Kilili C'ainaclio Sabhin "^ r-ri^c^ 

pCJ: U. S. House of Rcprcsoiiunives > S^>5 

Washinmoii ~ O , DC 20515 ~ go Q 

Dear Congressman Sahlan: j r 

Thank yon for your letter of July 28 addressed to Seerelary Lai iood supporting the 

application of Aviation Services, Ltd. d/b/a Freedoni Air (Freeiloni Air), for authority to 

engage in foreign eiurtcr air iransporlalion. 

As you are aware. Freedom Air has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for 

a certificate to provide foreign charter air service. Several pleadings from interested 

parties have been filed in response to Freedom Air's application. Presently, the 

Department is reviewing the information submitted by Freedont Air in support of its 

fitness and all comments on the record. 

Since this matter is contested, I am unable to comment on the merits of the case. 1 assure 

you. however, that the Department is working as expeditiously as possible and giving full 

consideration to Freedom Air's application and all comments on record. 

As is our n(nmal practice. I am placing a copy of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST-2() 10-015.1 as a contact outside the record of ihis matter. I appreciate your 

interest in this proceeding. 

Sincerely yours. 

jusan L. Kurland 

/Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
SI 0-100802-003 

ulll (.(.KI'iKIl M U \M M IH)-.\I1I \ ' 

i'l . 11.. , >.,l.- . 

<<i\l\ii i II I OS I l)( I \llii S \Ml l \hrii ; 

.. ... . vf. i 111 I •. I. >m \ t. - i>. 11 . MI M .. 

V;,';,^'l!-'.«';!.o','-V,V.'.,'.';,.,,... v^miinrii n in. m t xi(iiii, u i.^-'until !•,, II.,M.'.., 

I(. .1 .. \l)'' i -i: 

•MMli :l 1. (i s N M l l!.\I 111 -.1.1 V 

(Cinuu*i*iUi lit* tlic Ituitc^ i>tatcii 

^jiniu c iifiKci-ircyLnitattucii ,'.-;>.; 

Ulaiihmiilmi, DU: 211315 ; ; 

July 28, 2010 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

i write in full support ofthc application (DOT-OST-2010-0153) submitted by .Aviation 

Services, Ltd. (d/b/a Freedom Air) for a certificate of public convenience and necessity 

authorizing Freedom Air to initiate foreign charter air transportation. I'reedom Air is attempting 

to undertake a major step in its growth as an air earner serving the Northern Mariana Islands and 

Guam by providing longer-range charier service on larger jet aircraft. Not only will the 

authorization of charter service .support the mobility of people in the region, but it will also 

promote a local air transportation resource to the benefit of the region and the U.S. air 

transportation infrastructure in the Pacific. 

The economy of the Northern Mariana Islands is heavily dependent upon tourism, 

especially from the Asian region. Authorizing I'reedom Air to provide charter air service 

beUvecn Guam and Palau, Manila, Hong Kong. Taipei and Shanghai will allow for more access 

for tourists to visit pur islands fostering economic growth, employment and re\cnues. In 

addition, the alternative pricing and scr\ice options proposed by l-'recdom Air will benefit 

residents of the Mariana Islands by providing viable options to foreign destinations. 

Freedom Air is a local, U.S. citizen owned company that has provided valuable services 

to Saipan, Tinian and Rota of the Northern Mariana Islands since 1976, offering scheduled and 

demand passenger ser\'ices, as well as cargo operations. While other airlines have come and 

gone. Freedom .Air has proven loyal to the region while providing \ital commuter air scn'icc 

between the islands. 

Considering the potential benefits to the region from the expansion of operational routes, 

I am in complete support of l-recdom Air's application and urge your favorable consideration. 

Sincerely, 

GRHGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SAI3LAN 

Member of Congress