BEFORE THE 

 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

 WASHINGTON, D. C. 

--------------------------------------------- 

Application of : 

 : 

 AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. : DOT-OST-2012- 

 : 

for allocation of 17 weekly combination : 

frequencies for additional U.S.-Brazil : 

service in 2012 : 

--------------------------------------------- 

 

APPLICATION OF AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. FOR 

ALLOCATION OF 17 WEEKLY COMBINATION FREQUENCIES 

FOR ADDITIONAL U.S.-BRAZIL SERVICE IN 2012 

 

Communications with respect to this document should be sent to: 

VIRASB VAHIDI WILLIAM K. RIS, JR. 

Senior Vice President - Senior Vice President - 

Marketing and Planning Government Affairs 

and Chief Commercial Officer American Airlines, Inc. 

American Airlines, Inc. 1101 17th Street, N.W. 

P.O. Box 619616, MD 5634 Washington, D.C. 20036 

DFW Airport, Texas 75161 

 CARL B. NELSON 

ROBERT A. WIRICK Associate General Counsel 

Director, Regulatory Affairs American Airlines, Inc. 

American Airlines, Inc. 1101 17th Street, N.W. 

P.O. Box 619616, MD 5434 Washington, D.C. 20036 

DFW Airport, Texas 75261 (202) 496-5647 

(817) 963-0394 carl.nelson@aa.com 

robert.wirick@aa.com 

May 16, 2012 

NOTICE: American is seeking expedited approval of this 

 application and will poll the carrier parties 

 named on the attached service list for non- 

 objections 
BEFORE THE 

 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

 WASHINGTON, D. C. 

--------------------------------------------- 

Application of : 

 : 

 AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. : DOT-OST-2012- 

 : 

for allocation of 17 weekly combination : 

frequencies for additional U.S.-Brazil : 

service in 2012 : 

--------------------------------------------- 

 

APPLICATION OF AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. FOR 

ALLOCATION OF 17 WEEKLY COMBINATION FREQUENCIES 

FOR ADDITIONAL U.S.-BRAZIL SERVICE IN 2012 

 American Airlines, Inc. hereby applies for allocation of 

17 U.S.-Brazil weekly combination frequencies in order to 

operate the following additional U.S.-Brazil service on a yearround basis. 

MIAMI-RIO DE JANEIRO (GIG) “BACKFILL” (7) 

 We presently operate daily nonstop service between Miami 

and Rio de Janeiro (AA 905/904). The frequencies now assigned 

to these GIG flights are useable to serve any point in Brazil, 

including Sao Paulo (GRU). Effective October 1, 2012, American 

will begin a second daily nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to 

Sao Paulo by transferring the GRU-eligible frequencies from the 

MIA-GIG route to the JFK-GRU route. 
- 2 - 

 Our second daily JFK-GRU flight will operate during 

daylight hours and offer an important new service option to the 

public. So that we may seamlessly continue our existing MiamiRio de Janeiro service, we need 7 GIG-eligible “backfill” 

frequencies that are available for allocation from the 2011 

pool. Schedules for AA 905/904 (MIA-GIG) and for our second 

daily JFK-GRU flight are attached. MIA-GIG is served with 225-

seat B767 aircraft (30C/195Y), and JFK-GRU will be served with 

247-seat B777 aircraft (16F/37C/194Y). 

MIAMI-RECIFE (REC) and MIAMI-SALVADOR (SSA) NONSTOPS (3) 

 We are seeking 3 frequencies to combine with the 7 we 

currently use to operate daily round-robin service from Miami 

to Recife to Salvador to Miami. Effective November 15, 2012, 

we propose to convert the round-robin service pattern to 

separate nonstop flights five days a week in the Miami-Recife 

and Miami-Salvador markets. Both nonstop routes will be served 

with 182-seat B757 aircraft (16C/166Y). Illustrative schedules 

for our proposed MIA-REC and MIA-SSA nonstop flights are 

attached. 
- 3 - 

MIAMI-RIO DE JANEIRO (SECOND DAILY NONSTOP) (7) 

 Finally, we request 7 frequencies to add a second daily 

nonstop flight between Miami and Rio de Janeiro (in addition to 

AA 905/904) effective December 15, 2012 using 225-seat B767-300 

aircraft (30C/195Y). Illustrative schedules for our second 

daily MIA-GIG nonstop are attached. 

 A total of 28 additional U.S.-Brazil frequencies become 

available on October 1, 2012 (14 for service to any point in 

Brazil except GRU and 14 to any point in Brazil except GRU and 

GIG). Our second daily MIA-GIG flight should be funded with 7 

of the 14 2012 frequencies useable to any point in Brazil 

except GRU. 

AIRCRAFT 

 The aircraft required for the services proposed herein 

are available in American’s existing fleet. American has 47 

247-seat B777s, 58 225-seat B767-300s, and 18 182-seat B757s. 

UNDERLYING ROUTE AUTHORITY 

 American holds certificate authority to serve between New 

York/Miami and Sao Paulo/Rio de Janeiro (Route 389, timely 

renewal application pending in DOT-OST-1998-297). We hold 

exemption authority to serve between the U.S. and numerous 

other points in Brazil, including Recife and Salvador. See 

Notice of Action Taken, DOT-OST-1996-1353, May 20, 2011. 
- 4 – 

MARCH 20ll MEMORANDUM OF CONSULTATIONS 

 On March 18, 2011, the United States and Brazil signed a 

Memorandum of Consultations leading to open skies on October 1, 

2015, when all numerical and destination limitations on frequencies are eliminated. Prior to open skies, U.S. carriers 

may operate additional frequencies between the U.S. and Brazil 

that become effective in yearly increments on October 1, 2011, 

October 1, 2012, October 1, 2013, and October 1, 2014. 

AMPLE BRAZIL FREQUENCIES ARE AVAILABLE 

 Of the 28 additional frequencies that took effect on 

October 1, 2011, 13 remain unallocated. Of these, 7 may be 

used to any point in Brazil except GRU, and 6 may be used to 

any point except GRU and GIG. The 7 “backfill” frequencies we 

are requesting for MIA-GIG should be funded with the 7 unallocated GIG-eligible frequencies in the 2011 pool, and the 3 we 

need for our MIA-REC and MIA-SSA nonstop proposal should also 

be funded from 2011 pool. With these allocations, 3 of the 

2011 non-GRU/GIG frequencies will remain unallocated. 

 The 7 frequencies we are seeking to operate a second 

daily Miami-Rio de Janeiro flight, effective December 15, 2012, 

should be funded from the 14 GIG-eligible frequencies that 

become available on October 1, 2012. With this allocation, 7 

of those frequencies will remain unallocated, as will all 14 of 

the 2012 non-GRU/GIG opportunities. 
- 5 – 

FIRM SERVICE PLANS 

 The Department’s policy is to grant limited-entry 

authority to carriers with firm service plans. See Notice of 

Action Taken, DOT-OST-2010-0088 and 2010-0090, June 16, 2010. 

American has firm plans to operate the JFK-GRU, MIA-REC, MIASSA, and MIA-GIG flights described herein. Our request for 

allocation of 17 weekly combination frequencies is consistent 

with the March 18, 2011 MOC and with the public interest. 

REDEPLOYMENT OF FREQUENCIES 

 Regarding our redeployment of GRU-eligible frequencies 

from MIA-GIG to JFK-GRU, the Department has countenanced 

similar actions in other Brazil dockets. For example, in DOTOST-2010-0186, Delta applied for 3 GIG-eligible Brazil 

frequencies to replace 3 GRU/GIG-eligible frequencies it had 

been using between Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro but wished to 

transfer to the Detroit-Sao Paulo route. 

 As Delta stated in its application, its “existing 

Atlanta-Rio de Janeiro frequencies are not subject to any citypair limitations, nor are they subject to the temporary airport 

infrastructure constraints at Sao Paulo. Thus, these frequencies are currently and immediately eligible for service on the 

Detroit-Sao Paulo route” (pp. 1-2). The Department granted 

Delta’s application for “back-fill” ATL-GIG frequencies by 

Notice of Action Taken, DOT-OST-2010-0186, August 2, 2010. 
- 6 - 

 See also Notice of Action Taken, DOT-OST-2010-0183, 

August 10, 2010 (temporary reallocation to US Airways of 7 

Brazil frequencies held by United to permit US Airways to offer 

daily Charlotte-Sao Paulo service); US Airways/Delta Air Lines 

Joint Application, DOT-OST-2009-0197 (proposing a swap whereby 

US Airways would receive 7 GRU/GIG eligible frequencies awarded 

to Delta in 2005 and Delta would receive 7 GIG-eligible frequencies awarded to US Airways in 2009). 

 We will poll the carrier parties named on the attached 

service list and advise the Department of the results. Assuming there are no objections, we request favorable action on an 

expedited basis. 

 Respectfully submitted, 

 

 ___________________________ 

 CARL B. NELSON 

 Associate General Counsel 

 American Airlines, Inc. 

May 16, 2012 
Page 1 of 10

AA 987 Flight Number AA 958

B777 - 300 Equipment B777 - 300

Daily Frequency Daily

10:00 New York (JFK) 16:35

| ^

| |

| |

v |

20:45 Sao Paulo (GRU) 7:40

9:45 Elapsed Time 9:55

AMERICAN AIRLINES

New York (JFK) - Sao Paulo (GRU) Service

Effective October 1, 2012

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 2 of 10

Aircraft B777

Departures 730

Segment Miles 4,745

Plane Miles 3,463,850

ASMs 855,570,950

Fuel Burn (Gallons/Hour) 2,320

Fuel Consumption (000 Gallons) 16,089

First Class 16

Business Class 37

Economy Class 194

Total 247

AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY - American will use aircraft currently in its fleet.

 American operates 47 B777s (247 seats).

FUEL AVAILABILITY - American anticipates no difficulty in obtaining fuel 

from its existing suppliers at New York and Sao Paulo. 

Seating Configuration 

AMERICAN AIRLINES

New York (JFK) - Sao Paulo (GRU) Service

Annual Operating Statistics (Daily)

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 3 of 10

AA 905 Flight Number AA 904

B767 - 300 Equipment B767 - 300

Daily Frequency Daily

23:20 Miami (MIA) 04:05 +1

| ^

| |

| |

v |

09:10 +1 Rio de Janeiro (GIG) 20:00

8:50 Elapsed Time 9:05

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Miami (MIA) - Rio de Janeiro (GIG) Service

Existing Service Will Continue Using New Frequencies

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 4 of 10

Aircraft B767

Departures 730

Segment Miles 4,162

Plane Miles 3,038,260

ASMs 683,608,500

Fuel Burn (Gallons/Hour) 1,640

Fuel Consumption (000 Gallons) 10,260

Business Class 30

Economy Class 195

Total 225

AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY - American will use aircraft currently in its fleet.

 American operates 58 B767s (225 seats).

FUEL AVAILABILITY - American anticipates no difficulty in obtaining fuel 

from its existing suppliers at Miami and Rio de Janerio. 

Seating Configuration 

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Miami (MIA) - Rio de Janerio (GIG) Service

Annual Operating Statistics (Daily)

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 5 of 10

AA 292 Flight Number AA 293

B757 Equipment B757

5x weekly Frequency 5x weekly

23:20 Miami (MIA) 17:05

| ^

| |

| |

v |

08:20 +1 Recife (REC) 10:35

8:20 Elapsed Time 8:30

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Miami (MIA) - Recife (REC) Service

Non Stop Service Effective November 15, 2012

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 6 of 10

Aircraft B757

Departures 518

Segment Miles 3,838

Plane Miles 1,988,084

ASMs 361,831,288

Fuel Burn (Gallons/Hour) 1,200

Fuel Consumption (000 Gallons) 5,128

Business Class 16

Economy Class 166

Total 182

AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY - American will use aircraft currently in its fleet.

 American operates 18 B757ERs.

FUEL AVAILABILITY - American anticipates no difficulty in obtaining fuel 

from its existing suppliers at Miami and Recife.

Seating Configuration 

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Miami (MIA) - Recife (REC) Service

Annual Operating Statistics (5x weekly)

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 7 of 10

AA 977 Flight Number AA 968

B757 Equipment B757

5x weekly Frequency 5x weekly

23:25 Miami (MIA) 16:45

| ^

| |

| |

v |

10:25 +1 Salvador (SSA) 11:45

8:00 Elapsed Time 8:00

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Miami (MIA) - Salvador (SSA) Service

Non Stop Service Effective November 15, 2012

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 8 of 10

Aircraft B757

Departures 518

Segment Miles 3,880

Plane Miles 2,009,840

ASMs 365,790,880

Fuel Burn (Gallons/Hour) 1,200

Fuel Consumption (000 Gallons) 4,973

Business Class 16

Economy Class 166

Total 182

AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY - American will use aircraft currently in its fleet.

 American operates 18 B757ERs.

FUEL AVAILABILITY - American anticipates no difficulty in obtaining fuel 

from its existing suppliers at Miami and Salvador.

Seating Configuration 

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Miami (MIA) - Salvador SSA) Service

Annual Operating Statistics (5x weekly)

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 9 of 10

AA 901 Flight Number AA 990

B767 - 300 Equipment B767 - 300

Daily Frequency Daily

20:25 Miami (MIA) 05:15 +1

| ^

| |

| |

v |

08:00 +1 Rio de Janeiro (GIG) 23:15

8:35 Elapsed Time 9:00

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Miami (MIA) - Rio de Janeiro (GIG) Service

Second Daily Non Stop Service Effective December 15, 2012

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
Page 10 of 10

Aircraft B767

Departures 730

Segment Miles 4,162

Plane Miles 3,038,260

ASMs 683,608,500

Fuel Burn (Gallons/Hour) 1,640

Fuel Consumption (000 Gallons) 10,140

Business Class 30

Economy Class 195

Total 225

AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY - American will use aircraft currently in its fleet.

 American operates 58 B767s (225 seats).

FUEL AVAILABILITY - American anticipates no difficulty in obtaining fuel 

from its existing suppliers at Miami and Rio de Janerio. 

Seating Configuration 

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Miami (MIA) - Rio de Janerio (GIG) Service

Annual Operating Statistics (Daily)

Source: American Airlines Capacity Planning
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

 I hereby certify that I have this day served the 

foregoing document by email on the following persons: 

sascha.vanderbellen@delta.com 

dan.weiss@united.com 

howard.kass@usairways.com 

gbleopard@fedex.com 

anita.mosner@hklaw.com (for UPS) 

kevin.montgomery@polaraircargo.com 

 william.stallings@usdoj.gov 

 urskr@state.gov 

 dwight.moore@ustranscom.mil 

 john.allen@faa.gov 

 eskraft@jamhoff.com 

 ________________________________ 

 CARL B. NELSON 

May 16, 2012