City of o/isa{ia Office Of the :M.ayor 

Ai5JEast QakJiven:ue, Ste. 301, '1/isa{ia, CJl 93291 Tel: (559) 713-4512 PaJG (559) 713-4800 

Amy Shuklian 

Mayor 

Steven A. Nelsen 

Vice Mayor 

July 31, 2012 

Dennis J. DeVany, Chief 

Essential Air Service Division, X"'-53· 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E 

Washington, DC 20590 

Gregory F. Collins Re: Order No. 2012-5-11 

Councilmember 

E. Warren Gubler 

Council member 

Bob Link 

Cou ncilmember 

Dear Mr. DeVany: 

Thank you for your correspondence dated July 6, 2012, requesting community 

comments on Order 2012-5-11. The City of Visalia appreciates the opportunity to 

comment on the responses to this order. 

The Air Service Subcommittee met with representatives of SeaPort airlines to 

review their proposal and reviewed the proposal of Great ·Lakes Airlines. The 

subcommittee feels that both proposals offer the community unique benefits. The 

proposal from Great Lakes airlines offers a proven record and commitment, over 

the past four (4) years, to offering local travelers destinations that continually 

improve travel options. The proposal from SeaPort Airlines has some very exciting 

options as Well. The subcommittee,was particularly·interested in their City Ticket 

Office and the creation of a Spanish speaking call center. Both of those ideas 

would have an immediate impact on the number of local travelers using the service 

in Visalia. 

After a thorough review of the merits of both proposals, the subcommittee adopted 

a motion "Unanimously supporting the proposal by Great Lakes Airlines for 

Essential Air Service to Visalia" and recommended that the Mayor sign a letter of 

support to the Department of Transportation. .. 

The continued efforts by Great Lakes to acquire gate space at LAX were finally 

successful in May 2011 and as a result, the City of Visalia has enjoyed a marked 

increase in passenger totals. In addition to the increase in passengers over the 

past year, we have seen an increase in the number of travelers using the service 

for connecting. travel, with an estimated 50% of local passengers connecting 

through Los Angeles to destinations beyond. The solicitation of comments 

specifically asks the communities to address the issue of the high per passenger 

subsidy amounts. Using the proposed subsidy amount and the increase in 
· · · · · Mr. penn is DeVany 

... July 31,2012 

Re: Order No. 2012-5-11 

Page2 

passengers over the last 12 months, Great Lakes has been able to reduce the per 

passenger subsidy by 28% over the past year. Additionally, discussions with Great 

Lakes indicate the likelihood of a third daily trip to LAX in the coming year. Adding 

an additional flight will increase frequency and reliability of the connecting service 

and have a direct irnpact on customer confidence and help to grow the service and . . . ' 

further reduce the per passenger subsidy. 

The City would urge Great Lakes airlines to consider adopting some of the 

community focused elements that SeaPort uses. They have a proven record of 

succeeding in the smaller EAS markets that they have gone into. However, the 

proposal by SeaPort Airlines proposes service by a single engine, 9 passenger 

aircraft. The local travelers have repeatedly expressed serious concerns about 

flying on the smaller, non-jet aircraft and we doubt that the local travelers would 

utilize the service with the proposed aircraft. Additionally, SeaPort's proposal is 

over $150,000 more for the Visalia service and does not propose service to a large 

hub airport. Both of these elements preclude the City of Visalia from supporting 

their proposal at this time. 

The City of Visalia appreciates the Essential Air Service program and the 

opportunity it offers the community to continue to have air service. Providing air 

service is an important aspect of our economic development efforts, and is also key 

to our long-term alternative transportation and air quality objectives. 

Respectfully, 

A~~ 

Amy Sh.uklian 

Mayor