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U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

: rNvORTATION 

,>iC^ERAliCi 

Assistant Secretary 

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01 

1200 N«w Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

September 12, 2011 

Mr. Jack Friedman 

Executive Director 

Queens Chamber of Commerce 

75-20 Astoria Blvd. Suite 140 

Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1131 

Dear Mr. Friedman: 

Thank you for your letter, expressing support for a proposed agreement by vi^hich Delta Air Lines 

would exchange certain slot interests at Reagan Washington National Airport for certain US 

Airways slot interests at LaGuardia Airport. Secretary LaHood has asked that I respond on his 

behalf. 

Among other points, you urge that the Department allow the proposed transaction to proceed, 

believing that a Delta hub at LaGuardia would result in service to new destinations, more 

frequent flights, additional coimections, and increases in service quality. You also support a 

divestiture of slots to low cost carriers as part of the transaction, providing an additional 

assurance that competition will remain vibrant in New York. 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket, which will 

allow all interested parties the opportunity to comment. We will evaluate all of the comments 

that are filed, and then take appropriate action. Following our normal practice, I am placing a 

copy of your letter and this response in the docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

FAA 2010-0109. As the matter is still pending, I hope you understand that neither the Secretary 

nor I can comment on the merits of the pomts raised in your letter. 

We appreciate your interest in this proceeding. 

Sincerely yours. 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
ueens 

Chamber of Commerce 

Jack Friedman, Executive Director Carol Conslato, President 

Albert F. Pennisi, Counsel Mayra DiRico, 1 st Vice President 

Gerard J. Thornton, Treasurer 

August 22,2011 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: FAA-2010-0109 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

On behalf of the Queens Chamber of Conamerce, I am writing in support of the proposed 

slot transaction between Delta and US Airways and the FAA's decision to grant the 

proposed waiver relating to the transaction with conditions. 

The Queens Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,200 businesses and business 

organizations throughout the region. We have been serving the Queens community for a 

century. I believe the changes that would occur as a result of the transaction in New 

York would benefit our business members and their travelers. Based on my 

understanding of the transaction. Delta plans to create a hub at LaGuardia. This should 

result in service to new destinations, more frequent service to existing destinations, 

additional coimections, and increases in service quality. I also understand that Delta is 

replacing US Airways' turboprop service with all jet service. This will not only improve 

the quality of service but I understand should also result in a reduction in congestion. 

I understand that US Airways will be exiting some routes out of LaGuardia as a result of 

transferring slots to Delta. Given the new service that will be provided by Delta and 

existing service options at Newark and JFK, however, I am not concerned about any loss 

of competition or that the transaction will allow Delta to raise fares. In addition, I 

understand that the transaction will resuU in the divestiture of slots to low cost carriers. 

This should provide an additional assurance that competition will remain vibrant in New 

York. 

75-20 Astoria Blvd. Suite 140 • Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1131 > T: (718) 898-8500 F <71S) 898-8599 • info@queeri3Chamber orcj 
The Honorable Ray LaHood 

August 22,2011 

Page 2 

Similarly, I understand Delta plans to scale down some its operations at WashingtonReagan, However, the combination of US Airways' expanded Washington service, 

Delta's continued operation of nonstop service between DCA and its hubs and the DCALaGuardia Shuttle, existing service options at Washington-Dulles and BWI, and 

increased LCC competition made possible by the divested slots, resolves any concern we 

might otherwise have about loss of service in Washington. 

There is no industry more important to the Queens Chamber of Commerce or the 

Borough of Queens than the airline industry. We take every slot transaction and proposed 

waiver very seriously. However, Delta's investment in New York City has been a huge 

boost to our economy. Additionally, Delta continues to be a model corporate citizen, 

supportive of many philanthropic efforts in the area. 

1 urge the FAA to issue a final order consistent with its decision to grant the proposed 

waiver relating to the transaction with conditions and allow the transaction to proceed 

quickly. 

Sincerely, 

Executive Director 

Queens Chamber of Commerce 

cc: Delta Air Lines, Inc.