## Oct. 10. 2012 10:36AM

OctoberS, 2012 Federal Docket Management Facility U.S. DepartmentofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave. SE WestBldg., Ground Floor Room**W12~140** Washington, D.C 20590.0001

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Re: Luis Mul'loz Marfn International Airport·SllnJuan, Puerto Rfa)
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### \**W~** hereby express our support ofthe Public-Private Partnership between thl:! Puerto Rico Ports Authority and Aerostar Airport Holdlnss (''Aerostar"). The Tourism Industry has become a global business. and· our airport infrastructure needs to be revamped and operated 

### to 

### cater and compete wlthln this global marketplace 

### and Its fast changing standards: San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (the ''Airport") llas been losing flights In the lastyears. as more airlines relocate to mor!! modem hubs in the United States to service the other islands in ourretJion, whldt were traditionally served**throu~h** this**Airport~** as theirCaribbean hub. Atcordlngto governmer)t sources, around 8.5 million passengers 

### use the Airport annually, throu,h the service of 18 airlines that operate more than a hundred daily flights. Over the years, Puerto Rico has failed to modemlze and expand our airport Infrastructure, which has limited Puerto Rico's tourism industry potential and growth. The Impacts ofwhich has had a cascade effect on new hotel and resort development, the hospitality and gaming Industries, the cruise industry, but Puerto Rico's ability to compete 

### as a destination of choice with so many islands competing 

### for tourism.

our Hotel and casino expects that Aerostar's approximate $1.4billion investment in capital imptovements overthe ne)(tforty years should enable theAirportto attract new national and International carriers to theIsland, as well as Improving the quality ofthe facilities and the service experienced by our visitors and tourists. Our hotel foresees 

### long term positive 

### growth potential in the tourism and convention sector with modernization 

### of the Airport. Aerostar has publicly eltptessed Its short-term**plan~** forthe Alrport,lnduding leasingthe empty spaces In Jet81ults Terminal A, replacing broken floor and installing Wi-FI connectivity In the terminals, which should set the base to the long-term modernization ofthl!Airport and to attract new airlines and retain e)(lstlng carriers. Our hospitality Industry growth Is directly tied to the number of passengers traveling to our destination, so more airlines, and consequently more flights, should enable Puerto**~ico's** tourism lndustly to diversify the markets that seNice tourism on the Island, as well as increasethe industry's growth prospects. Aerostar's success in el(etutlng similar visions and goals In several Mmc11n airports give us sreat confldence that the same can be accomplished in San JUan's LUis Mul'loz Marfn International Airport..

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