U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary ofTransportation



### Ms. Deb Russell Board Chair US Business Leadership Network 1310 BraddockPlace; Suite 101 Alexandria, VA 22314 Dear Ms. Russell: Assistant Secretary

January**18~** 2013 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

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### Thankyoufor your letterto Secretary ofTranspqrtation Ray LaHood, cosigned by Jill D. Houghton, supporting the application ofSouthwest Airlines (Southwest) for two withinperimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan WashingtonNational Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to serve Houston's William P. Hobby Airport with one nonstop round trip per day from DCA. Secretary LaHood asked that Irespond to you on his behalf. We received Southwest's application onDecember 5; 2012. Other timely applications were received from JetBlue Airways, proposing one nonstop round trip to Jacksonville Intern1;ltional Airport,**Florida~** 

### and from US Airways, proposing one nonstop round trip to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. As thematter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits ofthe points raised in your letter. However, I can assure youthatall applications received by the U.S. Department of Transportation will be given due and careful**consideration~** 

### The Department's action onthis matter is being administered through a public docket, which allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in docket number DOT-OST-2000-7182. I appreciate your interest in this matter. An identical letter has been sent to Ms. Houghton. Sincerely yours,

Susan L 

### Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

## u.s. Department ofTransportation Office of the Secretary ofTransportation

Ms. 

### Jill D. Houghton Executive Director US Business Leadership Network 

### 1310 Braddock Place, Suite 101 Alexandria, VA 2231 4 Dear Ms. Houghton: Assistant Secretary

January**18~** 2013 1200 New JerSey Avenue. SE Washington. DC 20590

Thank you for your letter to Secretary ofTransportation Ray LaHood, cosigned by Deb Russell, supporting the application ofSouthwest Airlines (Southwest) for two within-perimeterslot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to serve Houston's William P. Hobby Airport with one nonstop round trip per day from DCA. Secretary LaHood asked that I respond to you on his behalf. We received Southwest's application onDecember 5, 2012. Other timely applications were received from JetBlue Airways, proposing one nonstop round trip to Jacksonville International Airport, Flodda, and from US Ainvays, proposing one nonstop round trip to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. As the matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits ofthe points raised in your letter. However, I can assure you that all applications received by the U.S. Department of Transportation will be given due and careful consideration. The Department's action onthis matter is being administered through a public docket, which allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in docket number DOT-OST-2000-71 82. I appreciate your interest in this matter. An identical letter has been sent to Ms. Russell. Sincerely yours.

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International AffairsDISA/3/LITY AT WORK

December 11, 20t2 The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary ofTransportation U.S. DepartmentofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590 Re: Docket No.**DOT~OST-2000-7182** Dear Secretary LaHood: US Business LeadershipNetwork®**{USBLN~** t310 Braddock Place, Suite lO l Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (800) 706-2710

Fa)!:: {&00)**70~-1335** infol@.usbln.org www.usb!n;org

On behalfofthe US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN<l), we write in strong support ofSouthwestAirlines' application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan WashingtonNational Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to begin daily nonstop service between Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby) and Washington DC's only downtown airport. As a majorU.S. company headquartered in Houston, ouremployees frequently fly to Washington. DC. Today. nonstop access to DCA is limited to service from George Bush intercontinental Airport (IAH), located 22 miles northfrom downtown Houston. From IAH, only one airline serves the Houston-OCA market. With its application, Southwest proposes to operate a new nonstop flight between DCA and Hobby, which is situated 12 miles south ofdowntown Houston. A nonstop Hobby-DCA flight will not only be convenient for our team, it will create much needed competition in this important market and. with it, lower average ticket prices and improved service options for Houston-based travelers. Southwesthas served Houstonfor over 41 years and is a strongpartnerinourcommunity. Undoubtedly, a Southwestoperated Hobby-DCA flight will create significant consumer benefits for Greater Houston. For this reason. we respectfully askthe Department ofTransportation to approve Southwest's application. Thankyou, in advance, for yourconsideration ofour organization's views in this important matter. Sincerely,

Deb Russell USBLNll> Board Chair

Dtlll !t\lSSill.l •• ll(lhl\\) CllAII\, IJSB\8<11 MANAGER, OIV!lJ!.SifY & INJ..CUS!ON. Wi\l.CllE!lNS IQ2 Wll.M'OT ROAD. Ollfiilflll\t.O. II. 60015 8H·315.6HZ DF.l!.I\USSI\\.I.@W 1\I.G llEE.NS.CO M Jill D. Houghton**USBL~**Executive Director
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