I 

THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON DC 20590 

The Honorable Heath Shuler 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Shuler: 

July 17, 2012 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Asheville Regional Airport 

for a grant under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Small Community Air Service 

Development Program. · 

The Small Community Air Service Development Program was established to help smaller 

communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares or 

insufficient service. Under th~ statute, the Department may make a maximum of 40 grant 

awards each year, although no more than 4 awards may be to communities in the same State. 

In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service 

deficiencies, the statute provides flexibility in the types ofprojects that can be funded. 

On May 15, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in receiving a 

grant this year file their applications by June ll. As these grant requests ate pending before the 

Department, I cannot comment on the merits of any particular proposal. 1 assure you that the 

Department will give full and fair consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed. 

f your letter and this res pons · n Docket 

record ofthis matter. I apn · te your interest in 

this program. 
HEATH SHULER 

11TH DISTRICT, NoRTH CAROLINA 

129 Clxnon Hou!l! Omc• SUilDIHCJ 

WASIIIIIOTOtf, OC 20GI6 

I'I!OIIE (2021226-0401 FAX (202)22H422 

205 Caucus Srneer, Surtc 100 /ISIIf.YilU!, NC 2~01 

PHON! (828) 262-1651 

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June6, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

· 400 i 11 Street, SWRoom 10200 

Washington; D.C. 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

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I run writing to you today in suppolt the Asheville Regional Airport's Small Community 

Air Service Development Grant. This gt·ant will allow for new and improved services in 

the western region of our state. This region is growing, and enhanced air sel·vice is 

imperative to the economic vitality of the area. Quality air service aids our economy 

t!ll'ough improved access for visitors, tourism a11d is important to business growth and 

retention. 

The western region has a noted connection to the Denvet· market - both fi·om a leisure 

and business travel perspective. I know that s% of ilibound travelers come from 

Colorado, and many more fi:om the \vest. Also, significant business development is 

occurring by Colorado and western state-based businesses in t.h.e Westem North Carolina 

region. Enhanced air service to and fl·om Denver and westem states is a positive fit for 

the direction of growth this region is experiencing. However, they have experienced the 

loss of low-cost air caniet' AirTrnn in the past year, and as a result, have seen airfares 

begin to rise to levels much greate1· than their competitors are expedencing. 

The Asheville Regional Ait'port l1as put together a two-fold platl to mitigate the rising air 

fares they are e~periencing due to the loss of AirTran Airways this year. Specifically, the 

plan focuses first on attracting anothet• low-cost air service provider to serve the Denver 

market, and potentially additional markets lost when AirTtan was acquired by Southwest. 

Second, the plan ensures that sufficient marketing will occur to snppott the new low-.fure 

carrier's success in the WNC market, and includes a focus on strengthening the newly 

formed travel advisory group - a consortium of business leaders, economic developers 

and t01.U'ism representatives who meet quarterly to discuss air service needs, advocacy 

and utilization. 

rnlliTfDO~ OECVCtEO rAPER 
.. 

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The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary 

June 6, 2012 

Page2 

Your time and consideration of the Asheville Regional Airport's gl'ant request would be 

greatly appreciated. 

Sincerely, 

Heath Shuler 

Member of Congress 

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