SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. 

 Robert W. Kneisley 

Associate General Counsel 

 1901 L Street, N.W. – Suite 640

Washington, D.C. 20036

(202) 263-6284 

 (202) 263-6291 Fax

bob.kneisley@wnco.com

_______________________________________________________________________________

April 1, 2014

Filed in the Docket Electronically 

The Honorable Susan Kurland

Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Application of Southwest Airlines Co. for Within-Perimeter Slot 

Exemptions (DCA-MCI-OAK); Docket DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Ms. Kurland: 

Southwest Airlines is pleased to submit the enclosed 27 letters in support of its 

application for two within-perimeter slot exemptions for daily, nonstop service between 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Kansas City International 

Airport (MCI), with continuing single-plane service to Oakland International Airport 

(OAK). 

These letters come from a diverse array of elected officials and community 

leaders, including five United States Senators and 11 Members of the U.S. House of 

Representatives, as well as from organizations in California, Kansas and Missouri

whose constituents, employees, and members would benefit from Southwest’s 

proposed DCA-MCI-OAK service and the large jet, low-fare competition it would 

provide. 

 Sincerely, 

 

 _____________________

Robert W. Kneisley

cc: All parties on Southwest’s service list
Enclosed Letters Supporting

Southwest Airlines’ Proposed DCA – MCI – OAK Service

1. U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill, Roy Blunt, Pat Roberts, and Jerry Moran

2. U.S. Representatives Sam Graves, Emanuel Cleaver, Vicky Hartzler, Lynn 

Jenkins, Kevin W. Yoder, William Lacy Clay, and Anne L. Wagner

3. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee, George 

Miller, John Garamendi, and Eric Swalwell

4. Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James, Jr., City of Kansas City, Missouri

5. Mark D. VanLoh, A.A.E., Director, Kansas City International Airport

6. Cestra “Ces” Butner, President, Board of Commissioners, Port of Oakland

7. Daniel P. Mehan, President & CEO, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and 

Industry

8. James D. Heeter, President & CEO, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

9. Jon Stephens, Interim President & CEO, Kansas City Convention & Visitors 

Association 

10. Robert J. Marcusse, President & CEO, Kansas City Area Development 

Council

11. Sheila Tracy, President, Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce

12. Alicia Stephens, Executive Director, Platte County Economic Development 

Council

13. Alison Best, President & CEO, Visit Oakland

14. Jim Wunderman, President & CEO, Bay Area Council

15. Dan C. Quigley, Interim President ,Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of 

Commerce

16. Gloria Rubio-Cortes, President, National Civic League

17. Kathy Lambert, CEO & Co-Founder, Connections to Success
18. Cici Rogers, President & CEO, Central Exchange

19. Debbie Hauser, Executive Director, Airport Area Business Association of 

Oakland, Calif.

20. Regina Jackson, President & CEO, East Oakland Youth Development Center 

21. José Dueñas, CEO & President, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Alameda 

County

22. Gene Calderon & Aracelia Esparza, Co-Presidents, Hispanic Community 

Affairs Council

23. Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director, National Coalition for Asian Pacific 

American Community Development

24. Chris Iglesias, CEO, The Unity Council

25. Jose Corona, CEO, Inner City Advisors 

26. Kathy Nelson, President & CEO, Greater Kansas City Sports Commission

27. Mike Kohler, General Manager, IMG College - University of California, 

Berkeley














11724 NW Plaza Circle●Kansas City Missouri 64153●www.plattecountyedc.com 

March 12, 2014 

The Honorable Anthony Foxx 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket OST-2000-7182 

Dear Secretary Foxx: 

On behalf of the Platte County Economic Development Council, please consider this our letter of support 

for approval of the application by Southwest Airlines to provide service between Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI). MCI is located in 

Platte County so we believe we have a vested interest in the success of such a route. 

The businesses in Platte County, and Kansas City metro area, would like to see uninterrupted service 

between MCI and DCA. For the business traveler – nonstop options on larger aircraft are a bonus. Other 

carriers fly to DCA but on smaller, regional aircraft and with stops. MCI serves as a regional airport, 

consequently, the impact is even greater when you consider Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska customers. 

Our area has important, critical ties to the federal government agencies and elected officials. This MCIDCA route will serve not only our business community but not-for-profit organizations (like us) and 

leisure travelers as well. 

Southwest is the airline with the largest presence in Kansas City; it is ready to and capable of assuring 

success of this route. It could even allow Kansas City to serve as a one-stop/connecting option for 

travelers flying between DCA and other points within the United States. 

The Platte County EDC strongly urges the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve Southwest’s 

application for the MCI-DCA service. 

Sincerely, 

Alicia Stephens, CEcD 

Executive Director 

astephens@plattecountyedc.com

816-270-2109 direct line 

March 31, 2014

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20590

Re:     Within‐Perimeter Slot Exemptions at Washington National Airport (DCA)

Docket No: DOT‐OST‐2000‐7182

Dear Secretary Foxx:

On behalf of the Bay Area Council and the hundreds of major employers who comprise our

membership, I write in strong support of Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for a pair

of slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).  With these two

“within‐perimeter” slot exemptions, Southwest proposes to  a daily nonstop flight between

DCA and Kansas City International Airport (MCI), and will be able to add same plane through‐

service to/from Oakland International Airport (OAK) beginning in January 2015.   

Southwest has been a major part of the Bay Area community since 1989.  Today, Southwest

operates 97 daily departures from OAK to 18 cities, including Kansas City.  However, despite

OAK's growth over the years, it has no direct flights to DCA because DCA’s 1250‐mile perimeter

rule.  Current travel options between OAK and DCA are, as a result, limited and relatively

expensive.  

Southwest’s proposal would provide a convenient travel option between OAK and the nation’s

capital, as well as stimulate air traffic in an underserved airline market.  For these reasons,

I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to grant a pair of slot exemptions to

Southwest so it can begin DCA‐MCI‐OAK air service.  

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Jim Wunderman

President and CEO

OFFICERS

Mayor Michael Hancock, Chair 

Hon David M. Sander, Vice Chair

Derek Okubo, Vice Chair

Joni Pattillo, Treasurer

Charles Ozaki, Secretary

Gloria Rubio-Cortes, President

DIRECTORS

Hon. David Bowers

Christine Benero

James Cloar

Dr. Jarvis Hall

Richard King

John Klimm

Hon. Ron Loveridge

Hon. Sharon Metz

Terry Minger

David Palmer

Karyn Pina

Dr. Lyle Wray

FORMER BOARD CHAIRS

Hon. Sandy Freedman

Robert Rawson, Jr. 

Dorothy S. Ridings 

Hon. R. Scott Fosler 

Dr. David Mathews 

Hon. Bill Bradley 

Hon. John Gardner 

Hon. George Latimer 

Hon. Henry G. Cisneros 

Hon. William F. Winter 

Terrell Blodgett 

Hon. William W. Scranton 

NATIONAL CIVIC LEAGUE

National Headquarters

1889 York Street

Denver, CO 80206

Tel.: (303) 571-4343

FAX: (888) 314-6053

ncl@ncl.org

www.ncl.org 

Home of the 

All-America City Award

March 21, 2014

The Honorable Anthony Foxx 

Secretary

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket DOT-OST-2000-7182 (Within-Perimeter DCA Slot 

Exemptions)

Dear Secretary Foxx: 

On behalf of the National Civic League, I strongly support the 

approval of Southwest’s application to continue to provide a nonstop flight option between DCA and MCI. Since February 2014 

Southwest has provided these flights through their pendent lite

application and we believe stopping this service now would greatly 

disrupt Kansas City residents, visitors, and connecting travelers. 

This non-stop flight provides important access for National Civic 

League members who are residents of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, 

Missouri and Oklahoma to the Washington D.C. area for important 

work with the federal government. 

The transition after Frontier left the DCA-Kansas City market has 

been seamless thus far with Southwest and the approval of this 

application would reaffirm this working solution to continue

providing competitive options for this important route. This proposal 

uses these slot exemptions efficiently considering Southwest’s 

large presence in Kansas City (41% local passenger market share) 

and the fact that Southwest uses a much larger aircraft (143-seat, 

Boeing 737) than any airline currently operating nonstop in the 

DCA-Kansas City market. Southwest is also the Nation's largest 

domestic airline with a national route structure, which would allow 

Kansas City to serve as a one-stop/connecting option for travelers 

flying between DCA and other points within the United States. 

For the above explanations, I respectfully urge the U.S. Department 

of Transportation to approve Southwest’s pendente lite application 

for DCA-Kansas City service. 

Sincerely,

Gloria Rubio-Cortes

President, National Civic League

And Executive Editor, National Civic Review



 

 

 

 

 

2013-14 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

 

RANDALL WHITNEY President 

SAFE STORAGE MANAGEMENT CO. 

ALTON JELKS Vice President 

JELKS GROUP DYNAMICS 

RON RISI Secretary 

RECOLOGY EAST BAY 

 

ANA CHRETIEN Treasurer 

ABC SECURITY SERVICE, INC. 

 

 

MARK BRYANT 

PORT OF OAKLAND 

 

ANN COOKE 

ULTIMATE SPORTS GUIDE 

 

MIKE TALLENT 

THE ART SIGN COMPANY 

SHARON SIMONTACCHI 

LAZ PARKING 

 

KYLE TAYLOR 

SHRED WORKS 

MICHAEL YOELL 

CORE SECURITY SOLUTIONS 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

DEBRA HAUSER 

 

 

 

Mail: 

P.O. Box 14123, 

Oakland, CA 94614 

Office, by appointment: 

333 Hegenberger Road, Suite 328 

Oakland, CA 94621 

510.545.7773 tel 

510.261.4112 fax 

debbie@aaba.org 

www.aaba.org 

http://facebook.com/AABAOAK 

 

 

March 21, 2014 

The Honorable Anthony Foxx 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Within-Perimeter Slot Exemptions at Washington National Airport (DCA) 

 Docket No: DOT-OST-2000-7182 

Dear Secretary Foxx: 

On behalf of the board of directors of AABA and our 100+ member 

companies, I write in strong support of Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application 

for a pair of slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). 

With these two “within-perimeter” slot exemptions, Southwest proposes to continue 

operating a daily nonstop flight between DCA and Kansas City International Airport 

(MCI) and add same plane through-service to/from Oakland International Airport 

(OAK) beginning in January 2015. 

AABA supports Southwest’s continual efforts to provide better service to Bay 

Area travelers as in keeping with our own mission to further area commerce, 

including increased passenger traffic in and out of OAK. Improved service through 

direct flights to and from DCA will undoubtedly attract more passengers using OAK 

throughout the entire Bay Area, resulting in increased employment, increased use of 

airport concessions, and increased utilization of ancillary services within the 

Hegenberger Corridor. 

Specifically in Oakland, we appreciate that Southwest has been a major part 

of our community since 1989. For the past 25 years, both Southwest and OAK have 

grown and prospered together. Today, OAK stands as the 33rd largest airport in the 

United States, and Southwest is the largest airline operating at OAK with 97 daily 

departures to 18 cities, including Kansas City. However, despite OAK's growth over 

the years, it has no direct flights to DCA because of DCA’s 1250-mile perimeter rule. 

In fact, OAK is the largest airport in the United States without direct service to/from 

DCA. As a result, current travel options between OAK and DCA are limited, 

inconvenient and relatively expensive. 

Southwest’s proposal would provide a convenient travel option between 

OAK and the Nation’s Capital, as well as stimulate air traffic in an underserved airline 

market. For these reasons, we respectfully request that the Department of 

Transportation grant a pair of slot exemptions to Southwest so it can begin same 

plane DCA-MCI-OAK air service. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. AABA and its 

membership look forward to increased passenger options through the granting of the 

slot exemptions requested by Southwest Airlines. 

Sincerely, 

 

 Debbie Hauser 

 Executive Director 

The Airport Area Business Association is a regional association of business and industry 


March 31, 2014

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Within­Perimeter Slot Exemptions at Washington National Airport (DCA)

Docket No: DOT­OST­2000­7182

Dear Secretary Foxx:

On behalf of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Alameda County, I write in strong support of 

Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for a pair of slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA).  With these two “within­perimeter” slot exemptions, 

Southwest proposes to  a daily nonstop flight between DCA and Kansas City International Airport 

(MCI), and will be able to add same plane through­service to/from Oakland International Airport 

(OAK) beginning in January 2015. 

Southwest has been a major part of the Oakland community since 1989.  For the past 25 years, 

both Southwest and OAK have grown and prospered.  Today, Southwest operates 97 daily 

departures to 18 cities, including Kansas City.  However, despite OAK's growth over the years, it 

has no direct flights to DCA because DCA’s 1250­mile perimeter rule.  As a result, current travel 

options between OAK and DCA are limited and relatively expensive.

Southwest’s proposal would provide a convenient travel option between OAK and the Nation’s 

Capital, as well as stimulate air traffic in an underserved airline market. For this reasons, I 

respectfully request the Department of Transportation to grant a pair of slot exemptions to 

Southwest so it can begin DCA­MCI­OAK air service. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely, 

José Dueñas

CEO and President

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Alameda County

1840 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94580 · www.hccac.net · info@hccac.net · (510) 545-3537
7

HCAC

Hispanic Community Affairs Council

www.hcac-ac.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gene Calderon

Co-President

Aracelia G. Esparza

Co-President

Angelina Reyes, Chair

Scholarship Committee

Dawn'?lba" Graeff

Secretary

Bettina D. Flores

Treasurer

Hon. Ana Apodaca

Josefina Alvarado-Mena, Esq.

Suzanne Barba

Dr. Susan Cota

Sandra Genera

Ren6 F. Macias

Pedro Naranjo

ADVISORY BOARD

JesIs Armas

Yolanda Baldovinos

Dr. Arnold Chivez

Marie Contreras Danner

Hon. Ellen Corbett

lgnacio De La Fuente

Hon. [eo Dorado

John A. Dutra

Hon. Liz Figueroa

Felix Galaviz

John Garcia

Dr. Nina Michel Genera

Alberto T. Huezo

Robert Macias

Carmen R. Mel6ndez

Librado P6rez

Robert Portillo

Roberto Rocha

Hon. RayJ. Rodriguez

Hon. Frank Roesch

Hon. Fortney (Pete) Stark

Gail Steele

Hon. Richard Valle

s01(cX3) 94-29st649

Gene Calderon and Aracelia

Co-Presidents

P.O. Box 3151oHayward, CA 94540

March 22,20t4

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secreta ry of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Within-Perimeter Slot Exemptions at Washington NationalAirport (DCA)

Docket No : DOT-OST -2000-7 L82

Dear Secretary Foxx:

On behalf of the Hispanic Community Affairs Council of Alameda County (HCAC), we

write in strong support of Southwest Airlines' (Southwest's) application for a pair of slot ,

exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington NationalAirport (DCA). With these two "withinperimeter" slot exemptions, Southwest proposes to continue operating a daily nonstop flight

between DCA and Kansas City lnternational Airport (MCl) and add same plane through-service

to/from Oakland lnternationalAirport (OAK) beginning in January 2015.

Southwest has been a major part of the Oakland community since 1989. Forthe past

25 years, both Southwest and OAK have grown and prospered. Today, OAK the 33'd largest

airport in the United States and Southwest is the largest airline operating at OAK with 97 daily

departures to 18 cities, including Kansas City. However, despite OAK's growth over the years,

it has no direct flights to DCA because DCA's 1250-mile perimeter rule. ln fact, OAK is the

largest airport in the United States without direct service to/from DCA. As a result, current

travel options between OAK and DCA are limited, inconvenient and relatively expensive.

Southwest has been a major part of the Oakland community since 1"989. For the past

25 years, both Southwest and OAK have grown and prospered. Today, OAK the 33'd largest

airport in the United States and Southwest is the largest airline operating at OAK with 97 daily

departures to 18 cities, including Kansas City. However, despite OAK's growth over the years,

it has no direct flights to DCA because DCA's 1250-mile perimeter rule. ln fact, OAK is the

Iargest airport in the United States without direct service tofrom DCA. As a result, current

travel options between OAK and DCA are limited, inconvenient and relatively expensive.

Southwest's proposal would provide a convenient travel option between OAK and the

Nation's Capital, as well as stimulate air traffic in an underserved airline market. For this

reasons, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to grant a pair of slot

exemptions to Southwest so it can begin same plane DCA-MCI-OAK air service.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

.Un^o &u^-rk,fu't&re-mai l: HCAC@hcac-ac.org
March 25, 2014 

The Honorable Anthony Foxx 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Within-Perimeter Slot Exemptions at Washington National Airport (DCA) 

Docket No: DOT-OST-2000-7182 

Dear Secretary Foxx: 

On behalf of National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community 

Development (National CAPACD), I write in strong support of Southwest Airlines’ 

(Southwest’s) application for a pair of slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). 

 

Our organization has offices both in DC and Oakland and current travel options 

between OAK and DCA are limited, inconvenient and relatively expensive. Also, as 

a national organization and leader in the Asian American and Pacific Islander 

(AAPI) community, one of our four key strategies to address core housing, 

economic, and community development issues within the AAPI communities is to 

organize regional and national convenings. These convenings yield networking 

opportunities for various leaders and advocates working on issues that affect our 

communities. It would support our work to have more options for our staff, 

members and allies to travel conveniently to and from DC. 

It is our understanding that one of the proposed “within-perimeter” slot exemptions 

will add same plane through-service to/from Oakland International Airport (OAK) 

beginning in January 2015 and give everyday travelers like our staff and partners 

more choices aligned with our budgets and schedules. 

We are in support of Southwest’s proposal with the hope that it would provide more 

convenient and inexpensive travel options between OAK and the nation’s Capital. 

For these reasons, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to grant 

a pair of slot exemptions to Southwest so it can begin same plane DCA-OAK air 

service. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. 

Sincerely, 

Lisa Hasegawa 

Executive Director 

Board of Directors

Maiko Winkler-Chin, Co-President

Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation 

and Development Authority, WA

Annetta Seecharran, Co-President

United Neighborhood Homes, NY

Esther Wong, Vice President

Chinese American Service League, IL

John D. Moon, Treasurer

San Francisco, CA

Michael Byun, Secretary

Asian Services in Action, OH

Sefa Aina, At-large

Pomona College, CA

Dean Matsubayashi, At-large

Little Tokyo Service Center, CA

Joni Byun

Nakatomi & Associates, CA

Yusa Chang

Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, CA

Norman Fong

Chinatown Community Development Center, CA

Hyeok Kim

Seattle, WA

Va-Megn Thoj

Asian Economic Development Association, MN

Desiree Vea

Hawaiian Community Assets, HI

Jo-Ann Yoo

Asian American Federation, NY

Thomas Yu

Asian Americans For Equality, NY

Executive Director

Lisa Hasegawa

1628 16th Street NW, 4th Floor

Washington, DC 20009

Tel. 202.223.2442

Fax 202.223.4144

310 8th Street, Suite 303

Oakland, CA 94607

Tel. 510.452.4800

Fax 510.981.3840

www.nationalcapacd.org

March 19, 2014

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Within-Perimeter Slot Exemptions at Washington National Airport (DCA)

Docket No: DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary Foxx:

On behalf of Inner City Advisors (ICA), I write in strong support of Southwest 

Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for a pair of slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). With these two “within-perimeter” slot exemptions, 

Southwest proposes to continue operating a daily nonstop flight between DCA and 

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and add same plane through-service to/from 

Oakland International Airport (OAK) beginning in January 2015. 

Southwest has been a major part of the Oakland community since 1989. For the 

past 25 years, both Southwest and OAK have grown and prospered. Today, OAK the 

33rd largest airport in the United States and Southwest is the largest airline operating at 

OAK with 97 daily departures to 18 cities, including Kansas City. However, despite 

OAK's growth over the years, it has no direct flights to DCA because DCA’s 1250-mile 

perimeter rule. In fact, OAK is the largest airport in the United States without direct 

service to/from DCA. As a result, current travel options between OAK and DCA are 

limited, inconvenient and relatively expensive.

Additionally, over the past three years, Southwest has been a strong supporter of 

ICA and our mission to create good jobs for local residents. The support of Southwest 

has allowed us to raise the visibility of our work, which is focused on helping small 

businesses grow their operations as a ways to create good jobs, especially for those 

with higher barriers to employment. We have also used the support of ICA to help 

recruit talented MBA-level interns throughout the country through our annual Summer 

Internship Program. As well, Southwest has allowed ICA staff to travel to places like 

Washington, DC, New York and Boston to meet with funders and policy-makers that are 

interested in ICA’s model.
Southwest’s proposal would provide a convenient travel option between OAK 

and the Nation’s Capital, as well as stimulate air traffic in an underserved airline market. 

For this reasons, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to grant a pair 

of slot exemptions to Southwest so it can begin same plane DCA-MCI-OAK air service. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Jose Corona

Chief Executive Offiicer
Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation

114 W. 11th Street | Suite 300 | Kansas City, MO 64105 | 816.474.GOKC

March 18, 2014

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary

U.S. Department of Transportation

West Building

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket DOT-OST-2000-7182 (Within-Perimeter DCA Slot Exemptions) 

Dear Secretary Foxx: 

On behalf of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation, I write to support the approval of the application 

by Southwest Airlines Co. (Southwest) to provide service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to 

Kansas City International Airport (MCI). 

As a nonprofit, privately-funded organization, the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation benefits our 

region through sports by creating, attracting and managing major sporting events for Kansas City. A large part of our success 

involves hosting major athletic events in our city. In recent years, Kansas City has served as host for major sporting events 

that include the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, 2013 MLS All-Star Game, Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship (13 

times in conference history) and a variety of other NCAA sporting events. As we complete bids for the NCAA and other 

entities, we promote our airport’s convenience and boast multiple flights from across the country. Regardless of which coast

athletes, visitors and/or fans travel, it is a mere 3-hour flight. Direct flights that ensure easy travel help contribute to the 

success of our business allowing us to secure future sporting events; Southwest Airlines Co. is a major player for us in this.

Southwest’s proposal will prevent disruption to the traveling public by providing a seamless transition after Frontier leaves the 

DCA-Kansas City market. By approving Southwest’s pendent lite application, your Department would not only ensure 

competition and a seamless transition, it would put slot exemptions to best use considering Southwest’s large presence in 

Kansas City (i.e., 41% local passenger market share) and the fact that Southwest uses a much larger aircraft (i.e., 143-seat, 

Boeing 737) than any airline currently operating nonstop in the DCA-Kansas City market. Southwest is also the Nation’s 

largest domestic airline with a national route structure, which would allow Kansas City to serve as a one-stop/connecting 

option for travelers flying between DCA and other points within the United States.

For the aforementioned reasons, I respectfully urge the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve Southwest’s pendent lite

application for DCA-Kansas City service. 

Sincerely,

Kathy Nelson

President & CEO