800 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20591

August 28, 2012 Exemption No. 8112F Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2003-14563

Bob Jordan President of AirTran Airways, Inc.
9955 AirTran Blvd. Orlando, FL 32827

Robert W. Kneisley

Associate General Counsel of Southwest Airlines Co. 1901 L Street, N.W. Suite 640 Washington, DC 20036

Dear Messrs. Jordan and Kneisley:

This letter is to inform you that the Federal Aviation Admini stration (FAA) has granted your petition to amend Exemption No. 8112, as am ended, subject to th e revised limitations expressed in this document. It explains the basis for the decision a nd describes its effect.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated July 24, 2 012, you petitioned the FAA on behalf of AirTran Airways, Inc. (AirTran), for an amendment of Exemption No. 8112, as ame nded. That exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 93.123 allocated to AirTran three ex emption slots to conduct scheduled operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Air port (DCA). The amendment request would allow AirTran and/or Southwest Airlines Co. (S outhwest) to continue to operate the slot exemption at the current FAA-approved tim es: 0800 (slot ID 1648), 1100 (slot ID 1194), and 1600 (slot ID 1531).

This administrative change does not affect the findings of public intere st and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption and most recent extension.

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

in the Federal Register because the requested administ rative amendment would not set a precedent.2

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justificati on for the issuance of Exemption No. 8112, as amended, remains valid with respect to this ex emption and is in the public interest. The exemption remains in effect through September 30, 2017. If AirTran elects to seek a further extension of the exemption, it should submit its petition, alon g with the reasons why the extension is in the public interest, on or be fore March 30, 2017. The FAA will publish that request for public comment to ensure full consideration of 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 amended conditions

and limitations listed below. The FAA amends paragraph 2 to modify the slot times, as requested, to those currently approved by the FAA Slot Administration Office. This amendment does not negatively impact operational efficiency at DCA.

Conditions and Limitations

1. A maximum of three total daily operations may be conducted under this exemption.

2. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption may be conducted only in the following local hours: 0800, 1100, and 1600. The FAA may adjust the time period of each operation if necessary for air traffic control or other operational purposes.

3. This exemption authorizes operations by only AirTran and/or Southwest, and no

other carrier.

4. AirTran and/or Southwest must contact the FAA Slot Administration Office to confirm the scheduled operations and thei r frequencies under this exemption.

5. This exemption will be rescinded if AirTra n and/or Southwest discontinue scheduled operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

6. The operations authorized under this exempti on are not part of the pool of permanent slots at the airport. However these operat ions, while in effect, are subject to the provisions of 14 CFR part 93, subparts K and S, including the slot usage requirement, except that the authority ma y not be sold, leased, or otherwise

transferred.

7. This letter must be attached to, and is part of, exemption number 8112.3

The Effect of Our Decision

The term ination date of Exemption No. 8112, as amended, remains September 30, 2017, unless sooner supersed ed or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

Kathryn B. Thomson

Chief Counsel