• r 

J ^ n E LT A "^ J ^^^" ^ OrW^;:^POPilKfm Alexander van deraenen 

--.-," ' '"' '^' ' Managing Director and 

Associate Generai Counsel 

Delta Air Lines, Inc. 

1212 New York Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20005 

202.842.4184 

sascha.vanderbellen@delta.com 

February 23, 2010 

Dennis DeVany 

Chief, EAS and Domestic Analysis Division 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Request for EAS Service Pattern IVIodification 

At Fort Dodge (FOD) and IVlason City (MCW) 

Docl<ets OST-2001-10684; OST-2001-10682 

Dear IVIr. DeVany: 

On behalf of Mesaba Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Delta Connection, we respectfully request a change in 

the authorized service pattern for Fort Dodge (FOD) and Mason City (MCW) in order to 

eliminate "tag" flying and provide all nonstop service to the Minneapolis/St. Paul hub.^ This 

change will provide more convenient and efficient service, benefitting both communities. The 

current pattern of service authorized by Order 2009-4-20 provides for: 

FOD - 18 weekly one-stop flights to MCW 

MCW - 18 weekly non-stop flights to MSP 

Under the proposed new service pattern, Mesaba would operate: 

FOD - 14 weekly non-stop flights to MSP (4 fewer frequencies, but non-stop flights) 

MCW - 18 weekly non-stop flights to MSP (no change) 

A new schedule detailing the revised service pattern is provided at Attachment A. 

Ft. Dodge and Mason City strongly support the proposal. Mesaba would provide the modified 

service pattern at the same overall combined subsidy level applicable to these cities. However, 

since Ft. Dodge will receive 4 fewer flights (but on an improved nonstop basis) and adjustment 

to the compensation formula is required. 

^ Mesaba is also changing the service patterns at Alpena (APN), Sault Ste. Marie (CIU) and Watertown 

(ATY), and is considering changes at Escanaba (ESC), Iron Mountain (IMT) to eliminate "tag" flying and 

provide nonstop service to the authorized hubs. However, since these modified service patterns all 

represent a clear and improvement in service with no change to the compensation formula, Mesaba was 

advised by the Department staff that no further Department action is necessary for those cities. In each 

case, the service change is supported by the relevant community. 
f 

Dennis DeVany 

February 23, 2010 

Page 2 

Thank you for your consideration and assistance in this matter. 

Sincerely, 

^ ^ . 

Alexander Van der Bellen 

cc: citymanager@fortdodgeiowa.org 

fdairport@fortdodgeiowa.org 

mayor@masoncity.net 

posgood@netconx.net 

John Spanjers, President, Mesaba 

Maximillian T. Shemesh, General Counsel, Mesaba 
y 

Mason City (MCW) 

Frea 

Daily, except Sun 

Daily, except Sat 

Daily, except Sat 

Mon-Fri Only 

Daily, except Sat 

Sat only 

Daily, except Sat 

Fort Dodge (FOD) 

Freq 

Daily 

Daily 

Daily 

Daily 

Dept 

Arp 

MCW 

MCW 

MCW 

MSP 

MSP 

MSP 

MSP 

Dept 

Arp 

FOD 

FOD 

MSP 

MSP 

Dept 

Time 

5:40 

12:40 

16:30 

11:20 

15:15 

17:15 

21:20 

Dept 

Time 

7:10 

14:43 

13:05 

19:05 

Arvl 

Arp 

MSP 

MSP 

MSP 

MCW 

MCW 

MCW 

MCW 

Arvl 

Are 

MSP 

MSP 

FOD 

FOD 

Arrv 

Time 

6:24 

13:31 

17:22 

12:19 

16:04 

18:11 

22:16 

Arrv 

Time 

8:24 

15:57 

14:23 

20:23 

Subfleet 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

Subfieet 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

XJ SF3 

Appendi x A 

Block 

Time 

0:44 

0:52 

0:52 

0:59 

0:49 

0:56 

0:56 

Block 

Time 

1:14 

1:14 

1:18 

1:18