THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON DC 20590 

The Honorable Steven M. Palazzo 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Palazzo: 

July 17, 2012 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Gulfport-Biloxi International 

Airport for a grant under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Small Community Air Service 

Development Program. 

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 than4 awards Iilay be to communities in the san1e 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 particular 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 

this program. 

of your letter and this 

record of this matter. I 

...... ,.,. ....... in Docket 

your interest in 
STEVEN M. PALAZZO 

4,. DISTRICT. MISSISSIPPI 

HOUSE ARMED SERVICES 

COMMITrEE 

SUBCOMMllTEE ON SEAPOWER MID 

PROJECTION FORCES 

ASSISTANT REPUBLICAN WHIP Qtongress of tbt mlniteb !States 

~ouse of l\epresentatibes 

Q;ma!f)ington, ZBQC 20515-2404 

SUBCOMM!TrEE ON READINESS 

HOUSE SCIENCE, SPACE, AND 

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 

CHAIRMAN. SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE 

AND AERONAUTICS 

June 6, 2012 · 

The Honorable Ray Lahood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washingt~n, DC 20590-0001 

Dear Secretary Lahood: 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON RESEARCH AND 

SCIENCE EDUCATION 

I would like to express my support for Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport's (GPT) application for the 

Small Community Air Service Development Program. The $950,000 grant is a critical element to 

helping OPT restore air service to/from key Florida markets. Leisure and business customers from these 

markets are crucial to the recovery and sustainability of the MS Gulf Coast economy which has been 

deeply impacted in past years by Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the nationwide 

economic downturn. 

Due to the declining levels of overall airline competition and the loss of Gulfport-Biloxi's only low-cost 

carrier in March of 2011, the Mississippi Gulf Coast tourism industry is missing much needed tourism 

revenue. As a result of the decline in air service, low cost fares are unavailable from Ft. Lauderdale, 

Orlando, and other Florida markets to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Also, the Mississippi Gulf Coast 

region and businesses are hampered by a decline in nonstop flights and increasing air fares. 

The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is aggressively pursuing new air service in an effort to restore 

the vital link to Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, or other Florida cities. The ultimate goal is to target carriers 

with a base, hub, or focus city in the Florida market. The Small Community Air Service Development 

Grant is critical in finalizing an agreement with a targeted air carrier. It is my hope that you will give 

their application every possible consideration. 

Sincerely, 

~~14r- Steven M. Palazzo 

Member of Congress 

WASHINGTON OC· 

331 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE 

BUILDING 

WASHINGTON, DC 20515 

PHONE: (202) 22.S-Sn2 

FAX: (202) 225-7074 

GUlfPORT· 

1325 251ll A VENUE 

GULFPORT. MS 39501 

PHONE: (228) 864-7670 

FAX: (228) 864-3099 

HATI(ESB!JRG· 

641 MAIN STREET. SUITE 142 

HATTIESBURG,MSJ9~1 

PHONE: (601) 582-3246 

FAX: (601) S82-34S2 

www.palazzo.house.gov 

PASCAGOJlLA· 

3118 PASCAGOULA STREET 

SUITE 181 

PASCAGOULA. MS 39567 

PHONE: (228) 202-8104 

FAX: (228) 202-8105 

LalLB.El.; 

IS 14 W ll>rH STREET, SUITE J 

LAUREL, MS 39440 

PHONE: (601) 428-9711 

FAX: (601) 428-9704