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Office of the Secretary MAR 2 1 2011 

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The Honorable Jos6 R. Torres Ramirez 

Representative for the District Num. 27 

El Capitolio 

Apartado 9022228 

San Juan, PR 00902-2228 

Dear Representative Torres: 

Thank you for your March 3 letter regarding assistance to the Mercedita Airport under the 

Essential Air Service (EAS) program. As you probably know, Ponce has formally appealed the 

U.S. Department of Transportation's decision to rely on JetBlue's subsidy-free service to the 

mainland and not to renew Cape Air's EAS contract. We are currently evaluating the merits of 

the community's appeal. As is normal practice, we are placing a copy of your letter and this 

response in the Docket, which is available for public viewing at www.regulations.gov by 

entering DOT-OST-1999-6592 in the search field. 

If I can provide further information or assistance, please feel free to call me. 

Sincerely yours, 

4 

iusan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
SI 0-1 10:^1 1-007 

CAMARA 

HREPRESEhfTANTiS 

March 3,2011 

Hon. Jos^ "Pito" Torres Ramirez 

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Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

United States Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave. SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: TERMINATION OF EAS PROGRAM IN MERCEDITA AIRPORT 

PONCE, PUERTO RICO 

Dear Mister LaHood: 

I am writing to express my concern about the termination of the subsidy given to 

the Mercedita Airport in the City of Ponce through the Essential Air Service 

Program (EAS). As a trader in tbe soutb area of the island these will affect 

directly to the economy of the entire zone, 

Hie Airport helps us as an ad hoc airport, but also helps the tourism in the south, 

east, and central area of the Island. Mercedita is the fastest way to connect with 

Puerto Rico's capital, San Juan. It also essential that schedule air service, 

including both passenger and cargo, between Ponce and San Juan continue. 

Puerto Rico has a unique geographic characteristics and cultural ties to the 

Caribbean and Latin America. The continuity of international air services from all 

the serviceable points in the island is essential to the cultural and economic 

growth of the region. The termination of the subsidy would imply the dismissal of 

the airport employees increasing unemployment percentage in Puerto Rico. 

As an employer and citizen of the south region of Puerto Rico, I urge that 

Mercedita Airport continue in the EAS platform. 

Sincerely, 

Jose R. Torres Ramirez 

Representative for the District Num. 27 

EL CATITOLIO, AruTADO 9022228, SAN JUAN, PUEITO RKC 00902- 2228 

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