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U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

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Assistant Secretary 

MAR 3 1 2011 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

The Honorable Lawrence N. Seilhamer 

Senator for the District of Ponce 

El Capitol io 

P.O. Box 9023431 

San Juan, PR 00902-3431 

Dear Senator Seilhamer: 

Thank you for your February 25 letter regarding assistance to the Mercedita Airport under the 

Essential Air Service (HAS) program. As you probably know, Ponce has formally appealed the 

U.S. Department of Transportation's decision to rely on JetBlue's subsidy-free service to the 

mainland and not to renew Cape Air's EAS contract. We are currently evaluating the merits of 

the community's appeal. As is normal practice, we are placing a copy of your letter and this 

response in the Docket, which is available for public viewing at www.re&ulations.gov by 

entering DOT-OST-1999-6592 in the search field. 

If I can provide further information or assistance, please feel free to call me. 

Sincerely yours, 

iusan L. Kurland 

'Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
SIO-I I03()S-0I() 

LARRY SEILHAMIR RopirfcuEz 

SENADOR - DislrltD de R>nce 

PortavQZ Altemo de la Mayarra 

DE PUERTO RICO 

February 25, 2011 

Hon. Ray La Hood 

Secretary ofTransportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E. 

Washington. DC 20590 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I recently became aware of the fact that the Essential Air Service Program (EAS) subsidy, granted to 

the Mercedita Airport located in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, will be eliminated as part of the 

budget cuts for the fiscal year 2012. 

As you know, the EAS Program was introduced to guarantee that small, mostly rural communities 

that were served by air carriers may continue to maintain a minimal level of air service. The 

Mercedita Airport received in the current year, the amount of $740,416, and served a population of 

approximately one million residents and visitors from the Southeastern region of Puerto Rico with 

approximately 200.000 passengers. Although Cape Air is currently subsidized by the U.S. 

Department ofTransportation as a commuter airline, which is a "spoke" to the "hub" Luis Munoz 

Marin Airport in San Juan, the fact is that neither Cape Air nor Jet Blue airlines have a written 

contract with the Mercedita Airport Administration or the Ports Authority of Puerto Rico. Therefore, 

there is no guarantee thai they will be willing to continue the current flight schedule. 

As the elected Senator for the District of Ponce, President of Urban and Infrastructure Committee, 

and Alternate whip of the majority delegation of the Senate of Puerto Rico, and in behalf of n^ 

constituents, the reassigntnent of the subsidy finds under the F^iS Program for the fiscal year 2012 

will be deeply appreciated. 

Needless to say, the elimination of the subsidy will result in a blow to our economic growth and 

development, particularly in the Southern Region of our island. 

For the above reasons, we support the reauthorization bill approved by the U.S. Senate which will 

maintain current level of funding for the EAS Program for the next two (2) years. 

Sincerely yours. 

fawrance N. ^Iha t 

Senator for the Dj^ict of Ponce 

El Capitolio | PO Box 90234311 San Juan, P.R. 00902-3431 

T:. 787.977.3048/977.3049 F: 787.977.3050 E: lsellhamef«senadoprus