Q i\':~. 

.RTMENT OF 

^"ORTATiGN 

USDeoartment Assistant Secretaiy,. f-HRATOi ri 1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE 

w.a.u»<jpuimijii i V . . - Washington. DC 20590 

Of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary ' vj j ;:;^p 1(3 A 'O- 0 I 

of Transportation 

September 12, 2011 

Mr. Sunil Mahtani 

Executive Vice President 

Ovation Corporate Travel Group 

71 Fifth Avenue 

New York, NY 10003 

Dear Mr. Mahtani: 

Thank you for your letter, expressing support for a proposed agreement by which Delta Air Lines 

would exchange certain slot interests at Reagan Washington National Airport for certain US 

Airways slot interests at LaOuardia Airport. Secretary LaHood has asked that I respond on his 

behalf. 

Among other points, you urge that the Department allow the proposed transaction to proceed, 

believing that a Delta hub at LaGuardia would result in service to new destinations, more 

frequent flights, additional cormections, and increases in service quality. You also support a 

divestiture of slots to low cost carriers as part of the transaction, providing an additional 

assurance that competition will remain vibrant in New York. 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket, which will 

allow all interested parties the opportunity to comment. We will evaluate all of the comments 

that are filed, and then take appropriate action. Following our normal practice, I am placing a 

copy of your letter and this response m the docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

FAA 2010-0109. As the matter is still pending, I hope you understand that neither the Secretary 

nor I can comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

We appreciate your interest in this proceeding. 

Sincerely yours, 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
OVATI'^N 

August 25,2011 CORPORAT E TRAVE L 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: FAA-2010-0109 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

On behalf of Ovation Travel Group, Inc., I am writing in support of the proposed slot transaction 

between Delta and US Airways and tlie FAA's decision to grant the proposed waiver relating to the 

transaction with conditions. 

One of my responsibilities is to manage the corporate travel for Ovation. 1 believe the changes that 

would occur as a result of the transaction in New York would benefit Ovation and its travelers. Based 

on my understanding of the transaction, Delta plans to create a hub at LaGuardia. This should result 

in service to new destinations, more frequent service to existing destinations, additional connections, 

and increases in service quality. 1 also understand that Delta is replacing US Airways' turboprop 

service with all jet service. This will not only improve the quality of service but I understand should 

also result in a reduction in congestion. 

I understand that US Airways will be exiting some routes out of LaGuardia as a result of transferring 

slots to Delta. Given the new service that will be provided by Delta and existing service options at 

Newark and JFK, however, I am not concerned about any loss of competition or that the transaction 

will allow Delta to raise fares. In addition, I understand that the transaction will result in the 

divestit^ of slots to low cost carriers. This should provide an additional assurance that competition 

will remain vibrant in New York. 

Similarly, I understand Delta plans to scale down some its operations at Washington-Reagan. 

However, the combination of US Airways' expanded Washington service. Delta's continued operation 

of notistop service between DCA and its hubs and the DCA-LaGuardia Shuttle, existing service ' 

options at Washirigtbh-Dulles and BWI,'and increased LCC competition made possible by the . 

divested slots, resblVes any co'nc'etii we might otherwise have "about loss of service ift Washington. 

As the 6"' largest Travel Management Company in the US, we see this as a tremendous benefit to our 

customers both from a convenience and cost standpoint. The transaction will provide significant direct 

benefits to oiir clients. For exiinple, Delta will tisethe LGA slots-to build a hub} which wiU;make it 

possible for our clients for the firist'time to flynonstdp 6ilt'of lAD tb LGA, and'also connect! at LGA to 

destiiiafibns north of LGA, Such as Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Pittsburgh; Montreal and many others. 

i urge this FAAtd issue a final order consistent with its decision to grant the proposed waiver relating 

to the transaction with conditions and allow the transaction to proceed quickly. 

Sincerely, 

Sunil Mahtani ' 

Executive Vice President 

cc: Delta Air Lines, Inc. 

7 1 FIFTH AVENUE. NEW YORK. NY I000 3 

WWW OVATIONTRAVEL.COM 

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