MARIA CANTWELL WASHINGTON 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

ilnitro ~tatr.s ~cnatc WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4705 

June 8, 2012 

United States Department ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington. DC 20590 

COMMmtES: 

COMMERCE, SCIE~.JCE, AN;) 

TllANSPORTATION 

ENERGY AND NATURAL 

RESOURCES 

FINANCE 

INDIAN !-FFAfR5 

SM•\I.LBUSINF.SS 

RE: Walla Walla Regional Airport: FY 12 Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Dear Secretary LaHood, 

I am writing to express my support for the Small Community Air Service Development Program grant 

application submitted by the Port of Walla Walla, the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, Tourism Walla 

Walla, and the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce. Tite application will help implement a new Walla 

Walla Airport Coalition Marketing Plan designed to ensure continued passenger growth on inbound and 

outbound Alaska Airlines (Horizon Air) flights to Walla Walla Regional Airport (ALW). A federal 

commitment will be matched with $50,000 in local funds. 

Typically, Walla Walla Regional Airport is served by two inbound and two outbound Alaska Airlines 

flights per day, with more than 32,000 total hoardings in 2011. Passenger numbers and load factors in the 

first quarter of2012 indicate that total hoardings for 2012 may surpass 2011 levels. That said, load 

factors are not yet sufficiently high to ensure long-term continued service from Alaska Airlines- the only 

scheduled carrier currently flying into and out of ALW. Alaska Airlines has indicated that unless load 

factors are raised, it will be forced to seriously consider discontinuing scheduled service to ALW. 

Walla Walla, Washington is geographically located near the cities ofMilton-.Freewater and Pendleton, 

Oregon, two additional population centers that are currently underserved by scheduled aviation 

service. ALW is the closest airport to both ofthcse cities and a federal investment designed to enhance 

air service at ALW, such as that which would be provided by a successful award from the Small 

Community Air Service Development Program, will benefit residents of both northeast Oregon and 

southeast Washington. 

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This project proposal is an excellent example 

maintenance of existing jobs and the possibilil 

maintained and, over time, hopefully expande 

I ask you give this application your fullest con 

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