THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON DC 20590 

The Honorable Richard E. Neal 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Neal: 

July 17, 2012 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Westover Metropolitan 

Airport for a grant under the U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service 

Development Program. 

The Small Community Air Service Development Program was established to help smaller 

communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares or 

insufficient service. Under the statute, the Department may make a maximum of 40 grant 

awards each year, although no more than 4 awards 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 provides flexibility in the types of projects that can be funded. 

On May 15, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in receiving a 

grant this year tile their applications by June 11. As these grant requests are pending before the 

Department, I cannot comment on the merits of any particular proposal. I assure you that the 

Department will give full and fair conside ·on to all proposals that have been properly filed. 

e in Docket 

this program. 
RICH:\RD E. i\lEAL 

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The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

US Department ofTransp01iation 

400 i 11 StreetSW 

Washington, DC 20590 

.June ll, 2012 

RE: mnity Air Service Development Program 

West ver etropolitan Airpo · (Docket DOT-OST 2012-0069) 

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I would like\o extend 1 port in regards to the application for grant funding under the 2012 

Small Community Air - 'JCe Development Program submitted by the Westover Metropolitan 

Airport. Located in Chicopee, Massachusetts; Westover not only is the site of a commercial 

ait1)0ti, but also one of the largest i·eserve Air Force bases along the eastem seaboard. 

In 2008, Westover lost daily commercial airline service to Columbus, Ohio and Greensboro, · 

North Carolina provided by Skybus Airlines. This occmTed in large part due to the cost of crude 

oil reaching a price of $140.00 per barrel. During the first nine months ofoperation, service was 

very successful with passenger load factors of 60%. Sk.ybus Airlines presence in the community 

provided business and leisure options for the market, and served the sixty-five thousand college 

aged young adults \Vho attend a variety of institutions of higher education located in the regions 

of Massachusetts and Connecticut known as the "Knowledge Corridor." 

Th<.: airline locally employed approximately 45 people in a variety of capacities including ticket 

counter, baggage handling, security, and fueling, as well as airpoti operations. 

Or.le efficient solution for overcrowded commercial airports is the use of underutilized airporis 

like Westowr. This practice not only alleviates the overcrowding, but since these airports can 

offer lower fees, it encourages airlines to open new routes and markets to the public. 

An additional benefit to commercial airline service qt Westover is an increase in enplanements 

(passengers purchasing tickets) that exceed l 0,000 per calendar year. This level of enplanements 

qualifies Westover for FAA Primary Entitlement funds in the amount of $1,000,000 annually. 

These funds are usell for significant airport improvement~ that create engineering, design and 

2208 Rii'I8URIJ HOUSE OFFICE BUilOltlG 

Wt.Sf !ltiGTON, DC 20515 

1202) 225-5601 

300 S rATE STREET 

Sum 200 

SP~INGFitLD. MA 01105 

(4131 735-0325 

2 CONGrtESS STn[H 

POST Omc;: BUILDING 

Mli.FORD, rvlA 01757 

15081634-3198 
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construction jobs and increased tax revenues. thus·proviclingjobs and services for the public 

benefit. 

Westover serves as a gateway to Springfield, Central & Western Massachusetts, Northern 

Connecticut and the Pioneer Valley. Airline service to this area would enrich the local economy 

with an increase of revenues from rental cars, hotel stays. restaurants, retail sales and tourist 

attractions. 

The return of airline service will enhance our region's attractiveness to private investment and 

'.Vould improve the quality oflife for those who live and work in our region. This grant would 

enable Westover Metropolitan Airport to once again compete for new airline service to this 

region of Massachusetts. I strongly urge your consideration ofthis application. 

Member of Congress