800 Independence Ave., S.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20591 

June 14, 2010 

 Exemption No. 8112D 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2003-14563 

Edward P. Faberman 

Counsel for AirTran Airways, Inc. 

Wiley Rein LLP 

1776 K Street, N.W. 

Washington, DC 20006 

Dear Mr. Faberman: 

This letter is to inform you that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted your 

petition to extend exemption number 8112, as amended, subject to the limitations expressed 

in this document. It explains the basis for the decision and describes its effect. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter dated March 30, 2010, you petitioned the FAA on behalf of AirTran Airways, Inc. 

(AirTran), for an extension of exemption number 8112, as amended. That exemption from 

14 C.F.R. § 93.123 allocated to AirTran three exemption slots to conduct scheduled 

operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). 

The FAA originally granted exemption number 8112 to AirTran for a two-year period on 

August 14, 2003. The FAA subsequently granted a series of extensions of the exemption in 

August 2005, September 2007, and July 2009. In the absence of a further extension, 

exemption number 8112C would expire on September 30, 2010. Your March 2010 petition 

requests the FAA extend the exemption for at least two additional years. In your petition, 

you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons relative to public 

interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption. 

The FAA published a summary of this petition for exemption in the Federal Register for 

comment. 75 Fed. Reg. 21387 (Apr. 23, 2010). The comment period closed on May 13, 

2010. The FAA received four comments in support of extending the exemption from 

Akron-Canton Airport, Congressman Lynn A. Westmoreland, Congressman Hank Johnson, 

and Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss. 

AGC-10-209-E 
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Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of exemption number 8112, 

as amended, remains valid and is in the public interest. The exemption is extended through 

September 30, 2012. If AirTran elects to seek a further extension of the exemption, it 

should submit its petition, along with the reasons why the extension is in the public interest, 

on or before March 30, 2012. The FAA will publish that request for public comment to 

ensure full consideration of the public interest. Through the comment process, members of 

the public may state any reason why the FAA should extend exemption number 8112, 

reallocate the slot exemption to another carrier, or allow the exemption to expire. 

Therefore, under the authority provided by 49 U.S.C. §§ 40113 and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I grant your petition, subject to the amended conditions 

and limitations listed below. The FAA amends paragraph 4 to direct AirTran to confirm the 

scheduled operations and frequencies with the FAA Slot Administration Office because 

AirTran currently has scheduled operations under this exemption. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. A maximum of three total daily operations may be conducted under this exemption. 

2. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption may be conducted only in the 

following local hours: 0700, 0800, and 0900. The FAA may adjust the time period 

of each operation if necessary for air traffic control or other operational purposes. 

3. This exemption authorizes operations by AirTran only, and no other carrier. 

4. AirTran must contact the FAA Slot Administration Office to confirm the scheduled 

operations and their frequencies under this exemption. 

5. This exemption will be rescinded if AirTran discontinues scheduled operations at 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. 

6. The operations authorized under this exemption are not part of the pool of permanent 

slots at the airport. However these operations, while in effect, are subject to the 

provisions of 14 CFR part 93, subparts K and S, including the slot usage 

requirement, except that the authority may not be sold, leased, or otherwise 

transferred. 

7. This letter must be attached to, and is part of, exemption number 8112. 
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The Effect of Our Decision 

Our decision extends the termination date of exemption number 8112, as amended, to 

September 30, 2012, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

James W. Whitlow 

Acting Chief Counsel