STEVEN M. PALAZZO 

4•• DISTRICf. MISSISSIPPI 

HOUSE ARMED SERVICES 

COMMfiTEE 

SUBCOMMITT'EE ON SEA POWER AND 

PROJECTION FORCES 

ASSIST ANT REPUBLICAN WHIP ([ongress of tbe ilnlteb !etates ~otme of ~rtientatibes1 

Dasl)ington, J)Qt 20515-2404 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON READINESS 

HOUSE SCIENCE, SPACE, AND 

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 

CHAIRMAN. SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE 

AND AERONAUTICS 

June 6, 2012 

The Honorable Ray Lahood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington, DC 20590-0001 

Dear Secretary Lahood: 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON RESEARCH AND 

SCIENCE EDUCATION 

_c 

I would like to express my support for Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport's (GPT) application for the 

Small Community Air Service Development Program. The $950,000 grant is a critical element to 

helping GPT restore air service to/from key Florida markets. Leisure and business customers from these 

markets are crucial to the recovery and sustainability of the MS Gulf Coast economy which has been 

deeply impacted in past years by Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the nationwide 

economic downturn. 

Due to the declining levels of overall airline competition and the loss of Gulfport-Biloxi's only low-cost 

carrier in March of 2011, the Mississippi Gulf Coast tourism industry is missing much needed tourism 

revenue. As a result of the decline in air service, low cost fares are unavailable from Ft. Lauderdale, 

Orlando, and other Florida markets to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Also, the Mississippi Gulf Coast 

region and businesses are hampered by a decline in nonstop flights and increasing air fares. 

The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is aggressively pursuing new air service in an effort to restore 

the vital link to Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, or other Florida cities. The ultimate goal is to target carriers 

with a base, hub, or focus city in the Florida market. The Small Community Air Service Development 

Grant is critical in finalizing an agreement with a targeted air carrier. It is my hope that you will give 

. their application every possible consideration. 

Sincerely, 

~~#ty-- Steven M. Palazzo 

Member of Congress 

WASWNGIJ)N PC; 

331 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE 

BUILDINCl 

W ASHINOTON. DC 2051 S 

PHONE: (102) 2ll-Sn2 

FAX: (202) 225-1074 

S10-120621-011 

GULfPORT· 

1325 2STH AVENUE 

GULFPORT, MS 39$01 

PHON£: (228) 864-7670 

FAX: (228) 864--3099 

HA1TJESB!!RG; 

641 MAIN STitEET, Sl1rTE 142 

HATTIESBURG. MS 39401 

PHONE: (601) 582-3246 

FAX: (601) S82 34~2 

www.palazzo.bouse.gov 

rASCAGO!U.A' 

3118 PASCAGOULA STREET 

SUITE 181 

PASCAGOULA. MS 39S67 

PHONE: (228) 202-8104 

FAX: (228) 202-8105 

LA1J1W.; 

IS14 WI On! STREET. SUITE 3 

lAUREl., MS 39440 

PHONE: (601) 423-9711 

FAX: (601) 428-9704 
flU loEF: F. WICki:h 

MiMED SERVICE S 

Ci>J-H lNG. •· IOU it~•:> ;\I JD ur:CAU ;, r- r:,\ IP.S 

(:Or..it.:c n(L SCIEUC[ i\f",JD T;-Vi.USf'Ui\r!-"\ T! Or ~ 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

·Ilnitnl ~tJl.Ts !?,c atr U.SH ir~ TO N. DC 2051(1 

June 5, 2012 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation 

400 Seventh Street, SW 

Washington, D.C. 20590-0001 

Dear Ray, 

I would like to express my support for Gulfport-Biloxi lntemational Airp01t (GPT)'s 

application for a Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant. Funding from the 

U.S. Department ofTransportation in the amount of$950,000 will help to restore vital air service 

between Gulfport and key Florida locations. Leisure and business customers from these markets 

are crucial to the recovery and sustainability of the Mississippi Gulf Coast economy. 

My state has been deeply impacted in past years by HutTicane Katrina and the Gulf of 

Mexico oil spill as well as the nationwide financial downturn. The loss of OPT's only low-cost 

air catTier in 2011 and decreasing airline competition also have contributed to a loss of revenue 

for the region's tourism industry. The Small Conmmnity Air Service Development Program is 

critical to providing a link between Mississippi and the targeted Florida market. 

l hope that you will give Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport's application every 

consideration. Should additional information be required from my office, please contact Bevin 

Wilkinson of my staff at (228) 604-2383. 

With best wishes, I am 

RFW/BW 

s 10-•120613-020 ,._ ,-· -:~ :·n ;, . -~~ 

52} 1-Z·S~~iV iJZ8i 7~2-S. OJ 
THAD COCHR/\N 

tlnitcd S tates ~cnatc Wfi.SHif\JGTON. DC 2051 0- 2402 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

June 9, 2012 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

400 Seventh Street, sw 

washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

COMMITTEE r)~l 

t' f·P IPf ·~ Tl()f.J':'. 

COMMITTEE ON 

;>.GriCUl Tl!flE nU Tr:ITI0' 1• 

M·iD rOGl:STP.; 

COMMITTEE ON 

RULES AND 

ADMINISTRATION 

It has come to my attention that the Gulfport-Biloxi 

lnternational Ai rport has appl ied co your office for .Small Communir::y 

Air Service Development Program grant funds. I understand that the 

grant wil l be used to restore air service to/from key Florida markets . 

As you know, the economy of the Mississippi Gulf Coast has been deeply 

impacted in recent years by Hurricane Katrina and the oil spill in the 

Gulf of Mexico . 

Additionally, the declining levels of overall airline competition 

and the loss of Gulfport-Biloxi's only low-cost carrier in March of 

2011 dictate that the Mississippi Gulf Coast tourism industry partners 

find other avenues to provide much needed tourism revenue. The 

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is aggressively pursuing new air 

service in an effort to restore the vital link to Ft. Lauderdale, 

Orlando, or other Florida cities. I am confident that you will give 

every possible consideration to awarding a Small Community Air Service 

Development Grant to this airport, as these funds will be important in 

finalizing an agreement with a targeted air carrier. 

As a courtesy to me, I would appreciate the attachment of this 

letter of support to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport's 

application in file. Your assistance in this matter is greatly 

appreciated. 

Sincerely, 

;:??~ /THAD COCHRAN 

United States Senator 

TC/mbm 

S10-120615-00-I