THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590

The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo U.S. House ofRepres.entatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Eshoo: Apri116, 2012 ][! 

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Thank you for your letter supporting the application ofVirgin America, Inc., for four beyondperimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Ifawarded those exemptions, Virgin America would provide two daily round-trip flights from DCA to San Francisco. Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, the U.S. Department ofTransportation 

### will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent carriers atotal ofeight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. We received Virgin America's application on March 12, 2012. Other timely applicatiQns were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip to Vancouver,**~ritish** Columbia; Alaska Airlines, one round trip to Portland, Oregon, and one round trip to San Diego; FrontierAirlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and beyond to San**Diego~** JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan. Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one rCimnd trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; and Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas. As the matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits ofthepoints raised in your letter.**However~** Ican assure you that all applications the Departmentreceived will be given full and fair c.onsideration and will be evaluated against th.e selection criteria specified in the statute. The Department's action on this matter is be' allows all interested parties the opportunit placing a copy ofyourletter and this res I appreciate your interest in this mat chninister«f through apublic docket, which 

### rntnent. Following out normal 

### practice, Iam n docket number DOT-20 1 9.**~.#.#dk .fr_,.~und** **!?JetJ.~t ~~~n~&** 

March 211 2012. The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood1 Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation uoo New Jersey Avenue1 S.E. Washington1 D.C. 20590 Dear Secretary LaHood1 l'm writing to express my support for Virgin America's proposal to provide non-stop service between San Francisco lnternationa[ Airport (SFO) and Reagan NationalAirport (DCA). 

### As you know1 the Federal AviationAdministration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 authorized you to award four new 11slots11 between DCAand domestic airports located beyond the current 11250 mile perimeter limit. 1urge you to consider the positive impact of aifocation of additional beyond perimeter slots to SFO to improve the connection between Washington D.C. and Silicon VaUey's powerful innovation-based economy. lt is my understanding that Virgin America is the only low cost carrier applying for slots between SFO and DCA1 andhas bid for two daily round trip flights. This proposal would provide a competitive advantage for the consumer and will also guarantee that local consumers and businesses reap the benefit that competition provides. 1respectfullyrequest thatyou give this project your highest consideration1 and l thank you in advance for your cooperation. Mostgratefully1



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