RICHARD E. NEI\L

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## 20515
The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation 

### US Department ofTranspo!1ation 400 

### ih Street SW Washington, DC 20590 

### RE: June ll, 2012 flANKING :AEf v1C:.E i4 , $ l i 8C::•t,1UIH(£ O N**SCL~ C**  f**(~ NUE** **ASUA ES** **CRA** IIC l fi<OER

.

port in regards to the application for grant funding under the 2012 'lee Development Program submitted by the Westover Metropolitan Airport. Located 

### in Chicopee, Massachusetts; Westover not only 

### is the site of 

### a commercial aiq)ort, but also one of the largest reserve Air Force bases along the eastem seaboard. In 2008, Westover lost daily commercial airline service to Columbus, Ohio and Greensboro, North Carolina provided by Skybus Airlines. This 

### ocCUlTed in large 

### pmi due to the cost 

### of crude oil reaching a price of$140.00 per barreL During the first nine months of operation, service \Vas very s uccessful with passenger load factors 

### of 60%
. Skybus Airlines presence in the community provided business and leisure options for the market, and served the sixty-five thousand college aged young adults who attend a variety of institutions of higher education located in the regions of Massachusetts and Connecticut known as the "Knowledge Con·idor." The airline locally employed approximately 45 peopie in a var:iety of capacities including ticket counter, baggage handling, security, and fueling, as well as airport operations. 

### One efficient solution for overcrowded commercial airports is 

### the use of undemtilized airports**lik~** Westover
. 

### This practice not only alleviates 

### the overcrowding, but 

### since these airports can offer lower fees, 

### it encourages airlines to open new routes and markets to the publ ic. An additional benefit to commercial airl ine service at Westover is an increase in enplanements (passengers purchasing tickets) that exceed I 0,000 per calendar year. This level of enplanements qualifies Westover for FAA P1imary Entitlement funds in the amount of $1,000,000 annually. The: s e funds 

### an: uscJ for sig nificant airpon improvements that create engineering, design and

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### 510-120622-024 300 STAT E STf<E H Sum 200 Sr r- <r<GFt£LO, MA 01105 !4131 735·0 325
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### construct ion job s and increased tax ren·mtes. thus pro\ id ing jobs and scn·iccs for the pub! ir benefit. Westover serves as a gateway to Springfi e ld , Central 

### & Western Massachusetts , Northem Connecticut and the Pioneer Valley. Airline service to thi s area would enrich the local economy with an incre as e 

### of revenues 

### from rental cars, hotel stays. restaurants, retail sales and tourist attractions. The retum of airline service will enhance our region 's attractiveness to private investment and wo uld improve the quality of life for those who live and work in our region. Thi s grant would enable Westover Metropolitan Airport to once again compete for new airline service to this regio n of Massachusetts
. 

### I stro ngly urg e your 

### consideration ofthis application. Sincerely,

Member of Congress



### 510-120622-024