U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation Office of the Secretary ofTransportation



### Ms. Maudine R. Cooper President & CEO January 22, 2013



### Greater Washington Urban League, Inc. 2901 14111 

### Street, NW Washington, DC 20009

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### Thank you for yourletterto Secretary ofTransportation Ray LaHood, supporting the application ofSouthwestAirlines (Southwest) for two within-perimeter slotexemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwestproposes to serve Houston's William P. Hobby Airport with one nonstop round trip per day from DCA. Secretary LaHood asked that I respond to you on his behalf.

We received Southwest's application on December 5, 2012. Other timely applications were received from JetBlue Airways, proposing one nonstop round trip to Jacksonville International Airport, Florida, and from US Airways, proposing one nonstop round trip to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.

As the matter is still pending, I cannot comment on themerits ofthe points raised in your letter. However, I can assure you that all applications receivedby the U.S. Department of Transportation will be given due and careful consideration.

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket,which allows all interested parties the opportunityto comment. Following our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in docket number DOT -OST-2000-7182.

I appreciate your interest in this matter. Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs I

JBOARD OFDmECTORS JcrrrA. Moore Ill Chair Stephen A. Horblitt CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL. INC. First \lice Chair Craig 1\1. Muckle SAFEW**A'~** INC. Second '1•1cc Chair
Karen Price·Ward SOUTHWEST AIRLINES COMPANY Secmary
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### s. c,ldwcll L.S. CALDWELL & ASSOCIATES**A.~~istam** SecrtiOIJ' Frnnk IC. RoS! KPMG UPPartner (Retired) and Visiting Professor HOWARD UNIVERSITY Treasurer Mary P. Dkk.<on NATIONAL ASSOCIATiON OF BROADCASTERS (Retired) k;s/stant Trtn.<uur MEMBERS Michncl P. Akin Marcellus W. Alexander, Jr. Robin L. Anderson AlexBarron Jackie Bradford Jerald .L. Brram Hakimu S. Da\'isdon We.•lley H. Dickerson. Jr. Curtis L. Etherh·, Jr. Derrick Frcema;., Todd E. Hc.wrtcr EMic F. Jones Stephanie R. Jont'S Tonya Kinlow Slc\',en Knapp Roger A. Krone Rita lassiter Dionne C. Lomax Re•·· Dr. I.loyd T. McGriff Walter l\1. Oliver Be•·crly L. Perry Jesse Price R)1llhia Rost lauric F. Rowe Willa Hall Smith Herbert R. Tillery Donna Rnttley Washington Annie P. Whatley ADVISORY .BOARD Gregory W. Fa7.akcrlcy Sharon Smallwood Gund Judy Holland Jessica Kruvant Don l.ower)· Jack H. Olender Bryan! Robinson Ill William B. Simons SeanTrice 

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Empowering Co/11muniiies. Changing Lives.

December .18, 2012

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood SecretaryofTransportation U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: DocketNo. DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

### Maudine 

### R. Cooper 

### President & 

### CEO

On behalfofthe Greater Washington Urban League and its distinguished Board of Directors, I write in strong support ofSouthwestAirlines' application to begin daiJy nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Houston Hobby Airp01t (Hobby).

The Houston-DCA market is underserved and overpriced. As the Nation's largest low-cost airline, Southwest is well suited to provide significant consumerbenefits in this importantmarket. Through new competition, lower airfares, and the use ofa 143- seat aircraft, Southwest's proposed serviceis projected to attract tens-of-thousands of
new business and leisure passengers, generating millions ofdollars annually for the DCA-Houston market.

Southwest is engaged in many civic programs beneficial to underserved residents throughout the District, Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, as well as Houston, Texas. Given its 41-yearhistory ofairline service to Houston, its strong community partnerships in both cities, and the fact that there is no airline currently flying directly bet-ween DCA and Hobby, this daily nonstop service is long overdue.

Under any scenario, Greater Houston is one ofthe largest and fastest growing cities in the United States, and is deserving ofmore affordable fares and frequent access to and from the Nation's Capital. For all ofthese reasons and more, 1respectfully ask the Department ofTransportation to approve Southwest's application.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration ofthe GreaterWashington Urban League's views in this important matter. Sincerely,

2901 Fourteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 265·8200 FAX (202) 265-6122 E-Mail LUWGDBS@aol.com Website: www.gwuJ.org