BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C.

__________________________________________ ) Application of ) ) AEROVIAS DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V. ) DOCKET OST-2012- ) for an exemption (Guadalajara-Chicago) ) __________________________________________)

EXPEDITED ACTION REQUESTED APPLICATION OF AEROVIAS DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V. FOR AN EXEMPTION

Communications with respect to this document should be sent to: John R. Mietus, Jr. Law Office of John Mietus, LLC 6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 300 Bethesda, MD 20817-7500 (202) 747-5212 (240) 396-5362 fax john@mietuslaw.com Counsel for AEROVIAS DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V.

NOTICE: Any person may support or oppose this application by filing an answer and serving a copy of the answer on counsel for Aeromexico and upon persons served with this application no later than May 25, 2012. APPLICANT INTENDS TO POLL.

May 10, 2012BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C.

__________________________________________ ) Application of ) ) AEROVIAS DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V. ) DOCKET OST-2012- ) May 10, 2012 for an exemption (Guadalajara-Chicago) ) __________________________________________)

APPLICATION OF AEROVIAS DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V. FOR AN EXEMPTION Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 40109(c), Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. ("Aeromexico") respectfully requests an exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. § 41301 to the extent necessary to permit Aeromexico to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between Guadalajara, Mexico and Chicago, Illinoi s. So that it may begin service in June 2012, Aeromexico requests expedited consideration of this application; after polling U.S. carriers served with th is application, it will report the poll results to the Department. In support of this application, Aeromexico states as follows: 1. Aeromexico is a flag carrier of the United Mexican States and currently holds a permit, Order 91-5-25, and various exemptions which authorize service between Mexico and nu merous U.S. points. Pursuant to this authority, Aeromexico provid es extensive tran sborder service.- 2 - Aeromexico Exemption Application 2. By this application, Aeromexico seeks an exemption to engage in scheduled, combination service in th e Guadalajara-Chicago market. Daily nonstop services on this route, us ing Boeing B737 or other appropriate aircraft, will generate significant benefits for the traveling and shipping public. 3. Annex 1 to the 1960 Air Transpor t Agreement, as amended, between the United Mexican States and the Unit ed States provides that a carrier designated by the Government of Mexico is entitled to operate "[f]rom a point or points in Mexico to a point or points in the United States." Aeromexico has been designated to serve this route and holds Mexican DGAC authority to do

so. 4. Under 49 U.S.C. § 40109(c), the Department may grant an exemption if it finds that a grant is consistent with the public interest. Designation of a carrier by its homeland government is the most significant factor in determining whether grant of an application is in the public interest. See, e.g., Bluebird Cargo Ltd. , Order 2004-8-24 at 3-4; Fast Air Carrier Ltda., Permit Amendment , Order 82-2-66 at 3-4. Given Aeromexico's designation for this route, such a pub lic interest finding is warranted. The service for which Aeromexico requests authority also will benefit business travelers, tourists, and shippers, further demonstrating that grant of the exemption would be consistent with the public interest.