AFS-12-033-E 

November 30, 2011 

 Exemption No. 8238D 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2003-16038 

Captain Gregory N. Crum 

Director of Operations 

Southwest Airlines 

P.O. Box 36611 

Dallas, TX 75235 

Dear Captain Crum: 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption 

No. 8238, as amended. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the 

conditions and limitations. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

On October 17, 2011, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of 

Southwest Airlines (Southwest) for an extension of Exemption No. 8238, as amended. That 

exemption from §§ 121.623(a) and (d), 121.643, and 121.645(e) of Title 14, Code of Federal 

Regulations allows Southwest to conduct supplemental operations within the 48 contiguous 

United States and the District of Columbia using the flight regulations for alternate airports as 

required by § 121.619 and the fuel reserve regulations as required by § 121.639 that are 

applicable to domestic operations. 

In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption. 

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested extension of the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to Southwest. 
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Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 8238, as 

amended, remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. 

Therefore, under the authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I grant your petition, subject to the following conditions 

and limitations. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. Before initiating operations under this exemption, Southwest must amend its 

operations specifications to comply with the following regulations applicable to 

domestic air carrier operations; 

 (a) Part 121, subpart E, all sections; 

 (b) Part 121, subpart G, § 121.135; 

 (c) Part 121, subpart M, §§ 121.385 and 121.395; 

 (d) Part 121, subpart P, all sections; 

(e) Part 121, subpart T, §§ 121.533, 121.541, 121.551, 121.555, 121.557, and 

121.569; 

(f) Part 121, subpart U, §§ 121.593, 121.599, 121.601, 121.607, 121.619, 

121.627, 121.635, 121.637, 121.639, 121.659, and 121.663; and 

(g) Part 121, subpart V, §§ 121.683, 121.685, 121.687, 121.695, and 121.711. 

2. Southwest must ensure that its aircraft dispatchers hold aircraft dispatcher 

certificates issued under part 65, subpart C, and are properly qualified under 

 part 121, subpart P, before permitting those persons to serve in operations 

 conducted under this exemption. 

3. Southwest must conduct its supplemental operations under this exemption— 

 (a) Within the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia; and 

 (b) Except as provided in § 121.637 for unlisted airports, to, from, or between 

those regular, provisional, refueling, and alternate airports listed in its 

operations specifications or in a separate current listing, if that listing is 

referenced in its operations specifications and is authorized by the 

Administrator. 
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The Effect of Our Decision 

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 8238, as amended, to 

January 31, 2014, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

All conditions and limitations of Exemption No. 8238, as amended, remain the same. This 

letter must be attached to, and is a part of, Exemption No. 8238. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John W. McGraw 

Acting Director, Flight Standards 

 Service