December 20, 2010

Mr. Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Mr. LaHood:

The Communitarian Organization in Culebra so

- called “Women”, expresses its

concern and sense of urgency because of the absence of Air Flamenco services. Our

community in Culebra and at the Island of Puerto Rico has been affected during

months because of the interruption or absence of a reliable maritime

transportation service. The emotional ef fect of captivity and isolation and the

economic effects in the interruption in many areas of the interstate trade are part of

the terrible consequences that we have suffered.

In the middle of this desperate situation, the FAA initiated some moves (that we

understand did not respond to passenger safety), that limited the operations of Air

Flamenco, aggravating the situation of residents, visitors and tourists who traveled

to the Island.

The sensible and effective service that Air Flamenco performed in C ulebra for

years, reflects not only their professionalism but also the knowledge of the needs

and habits of its residents, because Culebra is the hometown of its owners. They

recognize the difficulties that this population faces when there is l ack of

effective and dependable means of transportation, because they have personal

experience of the difficulties of living in an isolated area.

We have rights and we should not be discriminated because our place of origin. Our

physical and emotional hea lth and our businesses and education has been affected

because we depend on air mobility. This mobility should be accessible, reasonable

and reliable according to the socioeconomic reality of its residents.

In many cases the maritime service is not an opt ion if we consider the amount of

time it takes, specially for medical transport to diagnose patients or

treatments, pet medical assistance, business appointments, students, groceries,

medicines that need refrigeration or even mechanic pieces requ ired urgently; all this

can affect the quality of life of the residents, businesses, the Island small hospital,

etc.

When we are flying out of Puerto Rico, flying from Culebra to the International

Airport is the best way. This is also the best option for most of the tourists that visit

us. In the eventuality of a natural disaster this service is essential to seek for help.We understand that the FAA has the right to revise the airlines and make sure that

they are in compliance with regulations, but they should understand the Island

needs for survival also, and be more flexible and sensible, because there is an

element of human rights in all this.

We have been harmed during the past months due to the inconsistency of the

transportation. December is v ital to recover our rights, time, money and happiness.

We, MUJERES (WOMEN) know how our community feel. We are workers,

mothers, wife, partners, neighbors, friends sometimes family nurses o doctors who

have to deal historically with a lot of pressure, ev en discrimination. But our

concerns, sense of responsibility and love give us strength to seek for the well being

of our people. We claim fastness in the resumption of Air Flamenco services, which

is an essential link in the survival chain of this comm unity.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Sylvia M. Lleras Silva

Spokeswoman of MUJERES