BEFORE THE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

__________________________________________ )

Application of )

)

AEROLITORAL , S.A. DE C.V. ) DOCKETS OST

- 2007

- 29208

D /B/A AEROMEXICO CONNECT ) OST

- 2012

- 0203

)

for renewal of exemption authority )

( Mexico

- U.S. markets) )

__________________________________________)

APPLICATION OF AEROLITORAL , S.A. DE C.V

. D /B/A

AEROMEXICO CONNECT FOR RENEWAL OF EXEMPTION S

Communications with respect to this document should be sent to:

John R. Mietus, Jr.

L aw Office of John Mietus, LLC

6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 300

Bethesda, MD 20817

- 7500

(202) 747

- 5212

john@mietuslaw.com

Counsel for AEROLITORAL , S.A. DE C.V

. d / b / a A EROMEXICO CONNECT

NOTICE: Any person may support or oppose this application by filing an

answer and serving a copy of the answer on counsel for

A er olitoral and upon persons served with this application no

later than March 5 , 2015.

February 18, 2015BEFORE THE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

__________________________________________ )

Application of )

)

AEROLITORAL , S.A. DE C.V. ) DOCKETS OST

- 2007

- 29208

D /B/A AEROMEXICO CONNECT ) OST

- 2012

- 0203

) February 18, 2015

for renewal of exemption authority )

( Mexico

- U.S. markets) )

__________________________________________)

APPLICATION OF AEROLITORAL , S.A. DE C.V

. D /B/A

AEROMEXICO CONNECT FOR RENEWAL OF EXEMPTION S

Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 40109(c), Aerolitoral, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a

Aeromexico Connec t (" Aerolitoral ") respectfully requests renewal of its

exemption authority to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of

persons, property, and mail in the following Mexico

- U.S. markets as granted

by the Notice of Action Taken dated February 25, 2015 in the dockets listed

below :

Operating Market Docket (OST

- )

Hermosillo

- Las Vegas 2007

- 29208

Guadalajara

- Phoenix 2012

- 0203

Mexico City

- Phoenix 2012

- 0203

A e rolitoral requests that exemption authority for these markets be renewed

for a n additional, one

- year period. A e rolitoral intends to invoke the

automatic extension provisions of 5 U.S.C. § 558(c) and Part 377 of the- 2

- A e r o l i t o r a l

Renewal Application

Department's Special Regulations. In s upport of this application, A e rolitoral

states as follows:

1. Aerolitoral is a flag carrier of the United Mexican States and

currently holds exemption authority which authorizes U.S.

- Mexico charter

service and scheduled service between Mexico and several U.S. points.

Pursuant to that authority, Aerolitoral operates service between Mexico and

the United States marketed under the “AM” code of Aerovias de Mexico, S.A.

de C.V. (“Aeromexico”).

2. By this application, A erolitoral seeks renewal of its exemption

authority to serve the markets listed above. Exemption authority for these

markets is scheduled to expire on February 25 , 2015 . As to each m arket

,

A erolitoral either is serving the market with nonstop flights or wishes to

maintain authority so that it can resume nonstop service should conditions

warrant. A erolitoral ’ s operations in Mexico

- U.S. markets provide signi ficant

b enefits to the traveling public . Consequently, A erolitoral seeks to renew th e

authority to serve the markets for an additional year.

3. Annex 1 to the 1960 Air Transport Agreement, as amended, between

the United Mexican States and the United States provides that a carrier

designated by the Government of Mexico is entitled to operate "[f]rom a point

or points in Mexico to a point or points in the United States." A erolitoral

understands that it remains designated to serve the se markets , and it- 3 - Aerolitoral

Renewal Application

co ntinues to hold DGAC authority to provide service in those markets. 1 /

4. Under 49 U.S.C. § 40109(c), the Department may grant exemption

authority if it finds that a grant is consistent with the public interest.

Designation of a carrier by its homeland government is the most significant

factor in determining whether grant of an application is in the public

interest. See, e.g., Bluebird Cargo Ltd. , Order 2004 -8- 24 at 3

- 4; Fas t Air

Carrier Ltda., Permit Amendment , Order 82 -2- 66 at 3

- 4. Given Aerolitoral’s

designation for th e se m arkets

, such a public interest finding is warranted.

Moreover, the benefits which Aerolitoral’ s operations generate for business

travelers, tourists, and shippers alike further demonstrate that renewal of

the exemption authority is consistent with the public interest.

1/ Should a designation in any market have been withdrawn, however,

Aerolitoral requests that the Department defer action on the renewal request

for that market while proceeding to renew the remaining authority.