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U S DeDartmen t A«Bi»t«nt secretary 12OO ". w Jersey Avenue. SE 

u.a.uepanmeni washintibn. DC 20590 

of Ttansportotion 

Office of the Secretary .jj 

of Transportation j^^ p 1 Q 2010 

Ms. Melinda Crawford, A.A.E. r-. 

Airport Director - Interim i;^ 

Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport ^ 

2430 Airport Blvd. Suite 225 .:_'^ 

Pensacola, FL 32504 • ,:•-; 

Dear Ms. Crawford: - ,J ^ 

o 

Thank you for your letter supporting a proposed transaction between US Airways and Delta Air 

Lines, by which Delta would exchange certain slot interests at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA) for certain US Airways slot interests at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). 

On February 9, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a tentative determination 

approving the proposed transaction, but subject to certain conditions. It tentatively found that the 

public interest would best be served if the potential harm created by the increased concentration 

at the airports were counterbalanced by affording new opportunities for competition by new 

entrant and limited incumbent carriers. Specifically, the tentative finding would require 

divestiture of 14 pairs of slot interests at DCA, and 20 pairs of slot interests at LGA> to such 

carriers. 

The proposed determination was published in the Federal Register on February 18 (75 Fed, Reg. 

7306), with a closing date for comments from interested persons of March 22,2010. After 

receipt and review of the comments, we will take such further action as appropriate. 

A copy of your letter has been placed in the docket for the proceeding, FAA 2010-0109. That 

docket also contains a copy Of the tentative determination and other relevant documents, should 

you wish to follow developments in the matter. It is accessible through the Federal 

Government's regulations website, http://www.regulations.gov. 

If 1 can provide forther information or assistance, please feel free to call me. 

Sincerely yours. 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary 

for Aviation and International Affairs 
**.-

Sl()-flO(KJlS-0' i 

2430 AiYport Blvd., Suite 225 

Pensacola Gulf Coast pensacota, Fionda 32504 

I &t • j « WH^U XJiui^H ^i^UJi . (P) 850.436.5000 * (F) 850.436.5006 

Regional Airport FlyPensacola.com 

September 10, 2009 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

Recently US Airways and Delta announced an agreement to exchange slots at both Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA) and LaGuardia (LGA). 1 am writing today to express our 

strong support for this slot transaction as it provides benefits of importance to my city and indeed 

my state. 

US Airways has announced that upon consummation of this agreement and in accepting 42 slots 

from Delta at DCA, they will provide Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport, the largest airport 

stretching over 400 miles from New Orleans to the west and Jacksonville to the east, with 

nonstop service to Reagan Washington National Airport. We have long sought such service as 

the benefits to our nation's capital will provide needed business, numerous defense and 

aerospace contractors and military access to government entities which will allow this airport 

and the market we serve to grow and prosper. 

In addition, because US Airways has a well established network system at DCA, our northwest 

Florida and southeast Alabama travelers will have tiic ability to easily connect with major cities, 

particularly throughout the east. Such access is vital to our economic health and we applaud this 

innovative and important use of the slots at DCA. 

Obviously, for us to achieve this service the plan must be adopted as a single entity and I urge 

your input in encouraging the government to endorse this excellent agreement. 

Thank you for your consideration of this exciting and very consumer-oriented arrangement. 

Sincerely, 

Melinda Crawford, A.A.E. 

Airport Director - Interim 

xc: Honorable Randolph Babbitt 

Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, DC 20591 

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