i^ffmh THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORmriON ^S^Qfif ATR! 

!^—.^ ^ WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 ; -1 O^f^RaTiOVO 

-^i -:^' -8 A q: 30 

September 09, 2011 

The Honorable Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Giliibrand: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Albany International Airport 

for a grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. 

The Small Community Program was established to help smaller communities address air service 

deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares and insufTicient service. Under the 

statute, the U.S. Department of Transportation may make a maximum of 40 grant awards each 

year, although no more than 4 may be to communities in the same State. In order to provide 

communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute 

allows significant flexibility in how the financial assistance may be used. 

On July 1, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in receiving a 

grant this year file their applications by August 2. As these grant requests are pending before the 

Department, i am sure you understand that 1 cannot comment on the merits of any particular 

proposal. 1 can assure you, however, that the Department will give full consideration to all 

proposals that have been properly filed. 

As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy c^your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST-2011-0119 as a contact outside tluniecord of this matter. I apmjjciate your interest in 

this program. If I can provide furthet infonmaiion or assistance, please J^/free to call me. 
SI 0-110808-01 

Kl?STENE,.GILLIBRAND cuwMintts: 

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WASHINGTON, DC 20510-3205 [ 

August 2, 2011 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretarj' of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood, 

1 write in support of Albany International Airport's (AIA) application for funding 

from the Airport Small Comniunit)- Ait Sen-ice Dcvxlopmcnt Grant through tlic U.S. 

Department of Transportation. This fundmg will be used to increase essential 5er\'iccs at the 

airport so it can better support local regional economic expansion. 

In recent years, air service and passenger volume at the AIA has declined, due largely 

to air carrier consolidation and air service capacit)' cutbacks sparked by a weakened economy 

and rising £ud prices. As a result, New York's Capitol Region has been left with higher than 

average air fares that threaten the airport's ability' to meet the current and future air service 

requirements of its business communit}^ and, more broadly, the region's capacitj' to sustain 

economic growth. In fact, of the several high-tech companies that have relocated to diis 

region, many do not utilize the airport due to die high cost of flying from that location. 

This funding would help the AIA attract a new low-fare carrier or expand ciurrent 

services to keep pace with the growing needs of tlie area's business community. By 

expanding service, this project would allow the region to meet the needs of nearby high-tech 

companies, as well as attract new businesses, many of which require the convenience of a 

major airport. Tliis project is not only critical for ensuring affordable and accessible air 

services for area residents, but also for the sustained economic development of New York's 

Capitol Region. 

I ask that you please give this application your full considcrauon. If you have any 

questions, or desire further informadon, please do not hesitate to contact my staff member 

Andrew Usyk at (202) 224-4451. 

Sincerely, 

Kirsten E. Gillibrand 

United States Senator 

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