The Honorable Jeff Merkley 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Merkley: 

THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C, 20590 

Apri110, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, oosigned by your cottgressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines~ Inc. for two beyond .. peri.meter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland International Airport 

with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department .of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily .round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; Sun 

Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin Americat Inc., two round trips to San 

Francisco. 

As the matter is still pending. I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, l can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

The Department's action on this JUatter is being ministered through a public docket, which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity t ent Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy ofyour letter and this respo docket number DOT~2012-0 9. 

A similar response bas been sent to eac ur interest in this 

matter. 

Ray LaHood 
The Honorabl~ Ron Wyden 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Wyden: 

THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

April 10. 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues~ supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc. for two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland International Airport 

with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would supportfour daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canad~ proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British COlumbia; Frontier Airlines) one round trip to Colorado Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; Sun 

Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two r()und trips to San 

Francisco. 

As the matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However~ I can assure you that all applications the Department received wilt be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

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

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this res)?. se in docket number DOT~2012-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to e yo:ur interest in. this 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 2osgo 

The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman DeFazio: 

AprillO, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the. application 

of Alaska Airlines1 Inc. for two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland International Airport 

with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the .FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA~ which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver~ British Columbia; Frontier Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; Sun 

Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to San 

Francisco. 

As the matter is still pending, I cam1ot conunent on the merits of the points raised.in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selectio.n criteria specified in the statute. 

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

allows all interested. parties the oppo.rtunity to comment. Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy ofyourletter and this response in docket number DOT-2012·0029. 

A similar response has been sent to each c 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Earl Blumenauer 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Blumenauer: 

AprillO, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, eosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc. for two beyond-perin1eter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Alaska~s application proposes to serve Portland International Airport 

with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego~ on 

March 12. Other timely applications were rec.eived from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; Sun 

Country Airlines, one round trip to Las V e.gas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round. trips to San 

Francisco. 

As the matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair c()nsideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

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

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT~20 12-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to each 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHIN<?ITON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Kurt Schrader 

U.S. House ofR~presentatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Schrader: 

AprillO, 2012 

Thank you for your letter~ cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc. for two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to .serve. Portland International Airport 

with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA) which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego. on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received ftom Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, an.d one round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; Sun 

Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to San 

Francisco, 

As the matter is still pending, I cannot comn1ent on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

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

allows all inter~ted parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT -2012-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to eacJlAitlSifltner of your letter. J··Ar :\nf'f'•('•• your interest in this 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 205.90 

The Honorable Greg Walden 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Walden: 

AprillO, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, lnc. for two beyond·perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland International Airport 

with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority grauted in the FAA Modenmation and Reform Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; Sun 

Country Airlines~ one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to San 

Francisco. 

As the 11Ultter is still pending. I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that aU applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selectiou criteria specified in the statute. 

The Department's action 011 this matter is being administered through a public docket~ which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our .normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response · ¢ket number DOT·20 12-0029. 

A s.imilar response has been sent to e ch co 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATtON 

WASHINGTON~ D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Suzanne Bonamici 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Bonamici: 

Apri110, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc. for two beyond· perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington 

National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland International Airport 

with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application~ which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines. one round trip to Colorado Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBiue Airlines, one round trip to San J~ Puerto Rico, and one round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; Sun 

Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin Anleriea, Inc., two round trips to San 

Francisc.o. 

As the .matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

The Departmenes action on this matter is being administered through .a public docket~ which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to conunent Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT -2012-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to eac iate your interest in this 

matter. 
,_ 

Qtnugress nf tlte lltuite~ ~tales 

llufiington, ilQt 20515 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

February 28, 2012 

u.s. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

We are writing in support of the application submitted by Alaska 

Airlines, Inc., to secure two of th·e eight "beyond-perimeter slot" 

exemptions at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) . Their application 

would provide a daily nonstop roundtrip flight between DCA and Portland 

International Airport (PDX), as provided by the FAA Modernization and 

Reform Act of 2012. 

Oregon is notoriously underserved for air service into Washington, 

D.C. It is one of the most populated states without nonstop service to 

DCA, yet over 420 passengers fly between Oregon and the Washington, D.C., 

area in each direction every day. 

Today, nonstop service from Oregon is limited to a single United 

Airlines frequency into Washington Dulles (IAD) . In order to fly in or 

out of DCA, Oregon residents have to make time consuming connections 

through Seattle, San Francisco, or through other circuitous points. 

Consequently, we actively.supported efforts to increase the number of 

beyond-perimeter exemptions permitted at DCA so new entrants and limited 

incumbent air carriers have the opportunity to provide direct flights 

from the west coast into DCA. 

Alaska Airlines is well-positioned to provide Oregonians with their 

first nonstop service into DCA. Alaska and its regional carrier, Horizon 

Air, have a substantial hub presence at PDX and currently operate.more 

than 90 flights per day to 33 destinations. They are highly regarded for 

their customer service, financial strength, and operational performance. 

We are pleased their proposed nonstop flight from PDX into DCA is the top 

priority in their application. 

Please give their application full and fair consideration. 

s 1 0·120229-031 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 
N Sec. Ray LaHood 

February 28, 2012 

Pa.ge 2 

•. 

~!·~·~ · ~ley · 

· United States Senator 

Earl Blumenauer 

Member of Congress 

·~~w.u.. Greg Wald~ . 

Member of Congress 

S10-12022~Ml31 

Sincerely, 

Ron 

~IM,_t..'-' Wyden , 

United States Senator 

~~~c..· Suzanne Bonamici 

Member of Congress 

Member of Congress