The Honorable Luis G. Fortuno 

Governor of Puerto Rico 

San Juan, PR 00901 

Dear Governor Fortufio: 

Aprill6, 2012 

Thank you for your letter S\lpporting the applicatio11 of JetBlue Airways for beyond-perimeter 

slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). JetBlue's application 

proposes to serve Luis Munoz Marin Airport, Puerto Rico, with one round trip per day from 

DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received JetBiue's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to Austin, Texas, on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Alaska Airlines, one round trip to Portland, Oregon, and one 

round trip to San Diego; Frontier Airlines~ one round trip to Colorado Springs and beyond to San 

Diego; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; Sun Country 

Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin Amedca, Inc., two round trips to San 

Francisc.o. 

As the matter is still pending, I Cf:lnnot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However. I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

The Department's action on this tnatter is being administered through a public docket~ which 

allows all interested parties the opportuni mment. Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this in.docket number DOT,.2012- 9. 

I appreciate your interest in this 
LUIS G. FoRTui\Jo 

GOVERNOR 

March 8, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

GOVERMENT OF PUERTO RICO 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

.. ; .. 

On behalf of'the.-s.t million u-.s. citizens residing in Puerto Rico, I write·to express 

my full sUpporbfor··the:dpplicati'onby JetBiue Airways for beyond perimeter sl0.t. 

exeniptioris'.at Rbhald Reagdh Washington National Airport {DCAh; to :proyicl.e 

nonstop' roOrid·:trip:servicE:F.fo::san• Juan, :Puerto·Rico as filed under:DocketDOTOST;.2012-0029. • .. ·· · · ··· , ::• .. · 

Throughout my administration, I have been committed to turning around Puerto 

Rico's economy. With the implementation of creative initiatives and new 

reforms, we are · creating a better business environment in Puerto Rico and 

positioning the Island for long-term growth. To support this continued growth, 

our business and tourism sectors depend heavily on essential air access to 

strategic routes in the mainland U.S., where over 80 percent of our tourism traffic 

is generated. Our focus and efforts are already producing results with a 5 

percent increase in weekly flight departures in 2012, ·sustaining Puerto Rico's 

position as the largest air services market in the Caribbean. 

The addition of this unique and new direct service to DCA provides a key 

opportunity for Puerto Rico and the traveling public. This direct link between the 

heart of:. our nation's capital and the Caribbean would increase the 

competitiveness ·of. our: Island, as well as other U.S. destinations in. the·-regipn. 

Visitors'to'.and. from·.the:.greater Washington area would be provided .a low7fare 

direct· optior1; :sornethirig latking over the last few years, that would feed lhe 

successfUl ·tourism growth in our hotel and cruise sectors. Business · and 

government officials would be able to easily connect to and from the Island, 

S10-120J20-061 

LA FoRTALEZA, SAN JUAN, PR 00901 "' PO Box 9020082, SAN JuAN, PR 00902-0082 

PHONe:(787) 721·7000,. FAX: (787) 722-4300 
The Honorable Roy LaHood 

Poge2 

March 8, 2012 

increasing economic opportunities and fostering essential business ties key to 

the long-term economic growth of our region. 

JetBiue is Puerto Rico's largest air carrier and since arriving on the Island, has 

expanded to key markets in the region, including St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. 

Maarten and Santo Domingo. JetBiue also partners with Cape Air for added 

regional service connecting at San Juan. On the mainland, JetBiue's nonstop, 

large jet service has expanded from JFK to Boston, Hartford, Newark, Fort 

Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville. 

The level of direct air service from San Juan to Washington has decreased over 

recent years, while fares have continued to rise. Remaining direct service is 

through either Baltimore Washington International Airport or Dulles International 

Airport, both quite distant from downtown Washington's business corridor and · 

government offices. 

I thank you for your consideration and urge you to award JetBiue the slot 

exemptions necessary to serve customers with nonstop round trip service 

between DCA and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The addition of this unique nonstop, a 

first of its kind, would create growth opportunities in the Caribbean region and 

be of great benefit to all residents of and travelers to Puerto Rico. 

Sincerely, 

. 

~ Fortuna 

s 10-120320-061