Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

1

Grant Application Under the 

Small Community Air Service 

Development Program

Docket OST-2012-0069

DUNS # 0784822620000

Congressional District: TX-23
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

2

Proposal Outline

The City of Del Rio, Texas, and the Del Rio International Airport herein

respectfully submits an application for a grant under the 2012 Small Community 

Air Service Development Grant Program.

Background 

Del Rio is a vibrant commercial center on the US-Mexican border. In addition to 

being a major trade crossing with Mexico, Del Rio is also the home of Laughlin 

AFB, which is the main primary pilot training site for the US Air Force, and the 

region’s largest employer.

Basic traffic-generation projections indicate that the Del Rio region generates 

over 90,000 annual O&D air passenger trips. The nature of military travel, such 

as that generated by Laughlin AFB – which is very high fare due to Department 

of Defense travel requirements – is typically very attractive to airline planners.1

Del Rio is the southern US gateway for the emerging Ports-To-Plains Corridor, a 

2,300 mile conduit of trade and traffic connecting Mexico, Texas, the US Plains 

States and Alberta, Canada. This portends strong continued commercial and 

economic growth for Del Rio.

Poor Air Service & High Fares

Despite the strong economic indicators, air passenger traffic has dropped in half 

at Del Rio since 2007. 

The causes are unreliable on-time performance, lack of frequency, and 

skyrocketing fares. In that same time frame – between 2007 and 2012 – average 

one-way fares charged to get to or from Del Rio increased by over 32%.

These three dynamics – poor reliability, low frequency, and high fares – have 

simply shifted traffic to use San Antonio – a three hour drive that, in the light of 

the air service quality at DRT, is a far superior option.

 

1 Typically, official military travel is required to use refundable tickets, which represent significantly higher fares. This is 

one reason that American Airlines has re-built traffic at Manhattan, Kansas (Fort Riley) and has entered Watertown, New 

York (Fort Drum). A similar opportunity exists at Del Rio.
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

3

A Window Of Opportunity

Clearly, these are factors that are entirely outside the context of the economy 

and air traffic demand dynamics at Del Rio. 

However, at this time Del Rio is facing a unique window of opportunity to reverse 

this trend and recapture lost air traffic. The DOT grant requested herein will set 

in motion a clear, focused plan, to not only reverse this situation, but to posture 

Del Rio for future additional air service capacity and growth.

United Airlines is replacing traditional turboprop service with jet flights. In restructuring the Houston Intercontinental feed system following the 

Continental/United merger, the current and very unreliable United Express 

carrier, Colgan, is being replaced by United with ExpressJet, a high quality 

operator. The old and unreliable 34-seat turboprops are being replaced with far 

more consumer-acceptable 37-50-seat jets.

Necessary For Service Success: A Third Flight

But the higher costs of operating these jets – as reliable as they may be –

represents a challenge to keeping service at Del Rio. The current levels of 

ridership are not likely to be increased sufficiently without the addition of a third 

connecting flight to United’s Houston hub.

The poor on-time performance provided by Colgan as a Continental Connector 

literally kept passengers from being able to use Del Rio. In 2011, the average 

passenger traffic was just 12 per flight. This will equate to a load factor of just 

32% on the 37-seat jets, and 24% if 50-seat jets are used on the route.

Furthermore, because of the substandard service over the past five years, the 

Colgan flights at the best of times could barely capture much more than a 50% 

load factor rate. These data are reflective of inadequate and sloppy air service, 

and are not indicative of the strong air service demand and the opportunity DRT 

represents for the United Airlines system.

United Airlines apparently agrees, and is making a commitment to Del Rio in 

replacing Colgan’s old turboprops with jets. This is in a market that in the past 

has had low ridership on much smaller aircraft. United apparently understands 

the future contributory value that DRT has for its system. 

However, with high fuel costs, the financial patience of United Airlines will be 

limited. Therefore, the Airport and Community are submitting this application to 

support a program that will accomplish two critical goals to restoring air access 

to this part of Texas to economic viability:
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

4

A risk-offset program to increase flight frequencies on United Express 

from two round trips to three. As will be outlined in this application, two 

flights do not permit the connectivity necessary to materially re-capture 

traffic leaking to much larger San Antonio.

An aggressive marketing and air service awareness program aimed at the 

Del Rio community, the Laughlin AFB community, as well at key business 

targets in Ciudad Acuna, which is a 270,000-population commercial center 

in Coahuila state, and connected to Del Rio by the Del Rio-Ciudad Acuna 

International Bridge.

The Critical Importance of United Express

The data in this application show that the grant dollars applied to Del Rio will be 

a strong investment in the future of this region of Texas. The community and the 

Airport would again emphasize that maintaining and building connectivity to the 

rest of the nation and the world is critical to the economy of this region. 

Furthermore, the hard realities of the structure of the airline industry point to the 

United Express service being essentially the only viable air service potential for 

the region. The DRT market is relatively small, and there are only two potential 

gateway hubs within economic distance (DFW/American and IAH/United) which

can achieve this connectivity. But at DFW, American Airlines is in reorganization 

and is not expanding its American Eagle network.

United, on the other hand, is making a commitment to putting jets into Del Rio. 

The community is likewise committed to making this new service successful. But 

to do so, it will be necessary to add frequency beyond just two round trips, and 

it will be necessary to change consumer patterns which have been literally driven 

to use San Antonio.

Without this service, the hard realities of the airline industry point to this region 

of Texas eventually being without air service connectivity. This would put the 

region at a severe disadvantage in the global economy. The traffic demand exists 

to support a pattern of three daily flights to United’s hub at IAH. This grant will 

incubate and allow the service to grow.

With these factors in mind, the Airport and community would ask that the 

Department review this application and give it favorable consideration. 
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

5

All correspondence regarding this application should be directed to:

Billie Jo Grafton

Airport Manager

Del Rio International Airport

1104 West 10th Street

Del Rio, TX 78840

(830) 774-8538
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

6

Contents of Proposal

PROPOSAL OUTLINE 2

Background 2

Poor Air Service & High Fares 2

A Window Of Opportunity 3

Necessary For Service Success: A Third Flight 3

The Critical Importance of United Express 4

I. MARKET & SERVICE HISTORY 7

San Antonio – The Draw of 125 Daily Flights 8

Traffic, Load Factor & Fare History 9

Lack of Connectivity With Only Two Flight Frequencies 10

Fare Levels – Very High 11

THE GRANT IMPLEMENTATION 12

The Revenue Guarantee 12

The Marketing Component 13

Funding Distribution 13

Eligibility 14

Continuing Support 14

Past Air Service Efforts 14
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

7

I. Market & Service History

Del Rio is a major trade gateway between the United States and Mexico. Del Rio 

International Airport is logically the air service gateway for this region. A onehour drive time is shown. In reality, the proximity of San Antonio (2.75 – 3.0 

hours to the east) likely restricts the traffic draw area to slightly less than one 

hour on the eastern side of the catchment area.

True traffic generation in the region is difficult to accurately determine. Historical 

data are not an indicator, simply because of lack of schedule dependability, high 

fares, and low flight frequency.

However, the US market represents approximately 46,000 population, while the 

population of the Ciudad Acuna region of Coahuila state in Mexico is over 

270,000. In addition, Laughlin Air Force Base, being the largest pilot training 

center in the Air Force, also generates significant air traffic demand.

Based on analyses of the US population and demographic base, the Del Rio air 

service generation is estimated at approximately 95,000 annual passengers. The 

additional traffic generation from the Mexican side of the border is difficult to 

determine. 
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

8

Because the market has been abused with unreliable service over the past five 

years, the actual travel patterns of key businesses, not to mention the air travel 

planning on the part of Laughlin AFB, are very challenging to determine.

San Antonio – The Draw of 125 Daily Departures

The natural draw of the higher service levels at San Antonio is increased by the 

fact that the Colgan service at DRT was not schedule-reliable. With only two 

flights, any misconnections would cause serious inconvenience, and be a 

deterrent from again attempting to fly out of DRT.

Even with the successful implementation of the flight patterns that this grant will 

facilitate, there still will be leakage to San Antonio. However for the business 

travel sector, the proposed service levels – a third daily round trip to Houston –

will materially recapture lost traffic, and stimulate additional travel demand.
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

9

Traffic, Load Factor & Fare History

A simple year-by-year chart explains the reason that more than 80% of the 

estimated passenger demand generated in the DRT region is using other airports 

– or simply not traveling at all.

1. The average fare has increased by 32.4% - every round trip, on average 

is costing the consumer $162 more than in 2007.

2. The flight schedule in 2009 declined from three flights daily to just two.

This severely restricts connectivity, and enhances the tendency to use 

distant San Antonio as the gateway to the region.

3. The passenger decline at DRT of almost 50% is, in light of these 

performance data, entirely understandable. And, concurrently, these data 

indicate that the solution proposed in this application is valid and will be 

successful in rebuilding traffic.

4. Operationally, data provided to the airport by Colgan show that it has 

been schedule reliability – on-time performance – that has been the major 

service failure. This means that the chances of missing a connecting flight 

at IAH are very high. With only two flights a day, and up to 20% (or 

more) of departures delayed, local consumers, inbound business travelers, 

and airmen going to or from Laughlin AFB could not risk a flight into and 

out of DRT.
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

10

Lack of Connectivity With Only Two Flight Frequencies

The need for the grant to support a third flight is demonstrated by the lack of 

connectivity allowed with just two frequencies. An analysis of just two markets 

will demonstrate the reason that leakage will continue unless more frequency is 

added, with or without jet service.

Below is the connectivity between Del Rio and Washington-IAD on a weekday, 

with a minimum connecting time at IAH of 60 minutes and a maximum of 180 

minutes. This is the logical connect window. A schedule with less than 60 

minutes to connect between United’s A gates to United’s E gates at IAH is very 

questionable, particularly if there is any arrival delay. More than 180 minutes 

makes the drive to SAT more viable in terms of time-efficiency.

The most important role of any airport – including Del Rio – is allowing access to

the region in which it is located. It’s not just a matter of getting people out of 

DRT, but more importantly facilitating the ability of consumers to get to the 

region. With only two daily frequencies, the true market demand at DRT is being 

shifted to use San Antonio. For example, the chart below shows the access to 

Del Rio from Washington and from Chicago with the current two daily flights:

Consumers have only one option to get to DRT from these cities. Clearly, this 

makes the drive from SAT more attractive. In fact, the total elapsed time flying 

from ORD to SAT and driving to Del Rio is less than the current scheduled 

access. It is for this reason that a third flight will increase access, and increase 

ridership on the existing two flights as well.2

 

2

Even as extensive as the United hub is at IAH, there are some major markets – for example, Philadelphia – where there 

are no connecting opportunities of less than three hours. Source: Schedules filed with Innovata, LLC as of May 30, 2012, 

and analyzed by Aviation DataMinerTM.
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

11

Fare Levels – Very High

While traffic carried by the Colgan service is not necessarily indicative of the true 

destinational distribution at DRT, just reviewing average fares to these 

destinations compared to other Texas markets is clear proof of disproportionately 

higher ticket prices:

The additional service that this grant will make possible will have two effects on 

fares. The first is that additional capacity will bring additional low fare seats to 

the market. The second is that more discretionary/leisure passengers will tend to 

use the local service, thereby filling more of the discount seats made available, 

and lowering average as-paid fare levels. 

The Airport has no illusions that DRT fares will be commensurate with SAT, but 

actual ticket prices will fall more in line with those at other small Texas points.3

 

3

Source: US Dot data for year 2011, analyzed by Aviation DataMinerTM. Average fares are one-way, including federal fees 

and taxes.
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

12

The Grant Implementation

The Community and the Airport are requesting a grant in the amount of 

$500,000 to facilitate the addition of a third daily round trip flight to the United 

hub at Houston Intercontinental.

This will enhance the consumer acceptance of the two daily round trips that 

United is implementing with regional jets.

The community is matching the grant dollars with $100,000, for a total in hard 

dollars of $600,000.

The grant period is requested for three years. The Revenue Guarantee portion 

would be for a 12-month period. The Airport and Community strongly feel that 

the service will be a success by that time. Contingent on this, and the flight 

remaining in operation, the Marketing Component will be for the full three years, 

focused on continually building the market and establishing a wider usage of 

service on both sides of the border.4

The Revenue Guarantee 

The Airport proposes to provide United a pre-negotiated per-flight revenue 

guarantee, similar to one that the SCASD program has successfully implemented 

in the past:

Pre-determined per-flight costs will be negotiated, with adjustments for 

fuel costs.

Revenues generated as a result of the new flight will be determined in 

negotiations with the carrier. Because this will be an additional flight, the 

net new traffic on the entire schedule pattern will be part of the revenue 

determination. Revenues will include passenger fares and estimated 

ancillary revenues.

The program is planned for one-year period, starting on date of the new 

flight operation. Revenue and costs will be analyzed on a monthly basis 

and settlement computed after the end of each six-month period.

The Revenue Guarantee component is envisioned to be in place for one 

year, starting with the date the third flight begins.

 

4

Building three United Express flights to success with service to IAH will eventually be a strong example for another 

carrier – most likely American Eagle – to enter the DRT market.
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

13

The community requests that if there are residual funds left in the 

Revenue Guarantee portion at the end of the first year, they be shifted to 

the marketing component for years two and three.

The Marketing Component

Currently, 48% of all traffic in the market is originated at Del Rio. Therefore, the 

marketing efforts will be concentrated on local industries – including those across 

the border. Special efforts will be made to maximize increased use of DRT by 

Laughlin AFB.

The community will focus efforts mainly on direct contact and direct focus on 

travel generators via a range of mediums, including print media, electronic 

media, and social media.

It is envisioned that several on-airport events will be initiated within the 90 days 

prior to the new flight to build awareness of the service, and will be continued on 

a focused basis for all three years of the grant period.

Market Study

The Airport and Community will monitor the performance of the new service 

closely. Should the traffic appear to not be building sufficiently, immediate 

additional action will be taken, including a Market Study to determine reasons, 

including consumer awareness and business usage, will be accomplished.

Funding Distribution

The hard cash distribution will be as follows:
Docket OST-2012-0069

______________________________________

Del Rio International Airport 

14

Note that there is also de facto “in kind” contribution in that DRT does not 

currently charge United Express landing fees. This will extend to the new flight 

as well.

Eligibility

Del Rio is in complete compliance with the eligibility requirements as outlined in 

DOT Docket 2012-0069.

Continuing Support

The community is confident that the addition of a third jet flight will increase 

traffic to the point of economic viability within the proposed 12 month grant 

period, and the marketing program over the following two years of the grant will 

assure success.

However, the community stands ready to provide United with additional support 

as necessary and possible after the end of the grant period.

Past Air Service Efforts

The community represents a relatively small population base. Therefore, as a 

practical matter, only two gateways are within logical reach of Del Rio. These are 

the American hub at DFW and the United (formerly Continental) hub at Houston. 

Therefore the community has been cognizant of the need to stay in 

communication with these two carriers.
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078482262 

4ARQO 

DEL RIO, CITY OF 
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CORPORATE INFORMATION 

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http://www.cityofdelrio.com 

109 W BROADWAY 

DELRIO 

TX 

78840-5502 

USA 

DEL RIO, CITY OF 

109 W BROADWAY 

DELRIO 

TX 

78840-5502 

USA 

05/29/1905 

No 

U.S. Government Entity 

12 -U.S. Local Government 

C6 - Municipality 

VW - Contracts and Grants 

C8- City 

DISASTER RESPONSE INFORMATION 
Bonding Levels 

Construction Bonding Level, Per Contract 

(dollars): 

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(dollars): 

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Geographic Areas Served 

No geographic areas specified 

GOODS I SERVICES 

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 

541320- Landscape Architectural Services 

921110 - Executive Offices 

921120- Legislative Bodies 

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Federal Supply Classification (FSC) 

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SDB, 8A and HubZone certifications come from the Small Business Administration and are not 

editable by CCR vendors. 

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The small business size status is derived from the receipts, number of employees, assets, barrels 

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NAICS Small Emerging Small 

Code Description Business Business 

541320 Landscape Architectural Services No No 

921110 Executive Offices 

921120 Legislative Bodies 

No 

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Government Business Primary POC Government Business Alternate POC 

Name: ROBERTEADS Name: MANUEL CHAVEZ 

Address Line 1 : 109 W BROADWAY Address Line 1 : 109 W BROADWAY 

Address Line 2: Address Line 2: 

City: DELRIO City: DELRIO 

State: TX State: TX 

Foreign Foreign Province: Province: 

Zip/Postal Code: 78840 Zip/Postal Code: 78840 

Country: USA Country: USA 

U.S. Phone: 830-774-8558 U.S. Phone: 830-774-8555 

Non-U.S. Phone: Non-U.S. Phone: 

Fax: 830-774-8542 Fax: 830-703-5367 

Past Performance Primary POC Past Performance Alternate POC 

Name: MANUEL CHAVEZ Name: CARLOS CRUZ 

Address Line 1: 109 W BROADWAY Address Line 1 : 109 W BROADWAY 

Address Line 2: Address Line 2: 

City: DELRIO City: DELRIO 

State: TX State: TX 

Foreign Foreign Province: Province: 

Zip/Postal Code: 78840 Zip/Postal Code: 78840 

Country: USA Country: USA 

U.S. Phone: 830-774-8500 U.S. Phone: 830-77 4-8500 

Non-U.S. Phone: Non-U.S. Phone: 

Fax: 830-778-2062 Fax: 830-778-2062 

Electronic Business Primary POC Electronic Business Alternate POC 

Name: ROBERTEADS Name: MANUEL CHAVEZ 

Address Line 1 : 109 W BROADWAY Address Line 1 : 109 W BROADWAY 

Address Line 2: Address Line 2: 

City: DELRIO City: DELRIO 

State: TX State: TX 

Foreign Foreign Province: 
Province: 

Zip/Postal Code: 78840 Zip/Postal Code: 78840 

Country: USA Country: USA 

U.S. Phone: 830-774-8558 U.S. Phone: 830-774-8528 

Non-U.S. Phone: Non-U.S. Phone: 

Fax: 830-774-8542 Fax: 830-703-5367 

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RESOLUTION NO. R: 2012 • 072 

A UESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL RIO, TEXAS AUTHORIZING 

AND DIRECTING MAYOR ROBERTO FER.~ANDEZ TO SUBMIT A $600,000 GRANT PROPOSAL 

TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE 

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SCASDP) GRANT: DOT ORDER 2012-5-8 (DOCKET OST -2012-069) 

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Del Rio recognizes the value of regularly scheduled commercial 

air passenger service for the Citizens of Del Rio and surrounding communities: and 

WHEREA...~, the City Council of the City of Del Rio agrees that commercial air passenger service is a valuable 

economic asset that is vital to the future growth and development of the community; and 

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Del Rio docs desire to promote and enhance the commercial 

passenger air service currently provided at the Del Rio International Airport; and 

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Del Rio wishes to utilize all available resources to include the 

Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant (SCASDP) to enhance its ability to promote and 

enhance the air service provided to the citizens; and 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEL RIO, 

TEXAS THAT: 

The City Council of the City of Del Rio does hereby authorize and direct Mayor Roberto Fernandez to submit a 

$600,000 Grant Proposal to the Department of Transportation for the Small Community Air Service 

Development Program (SCASDP) Grant: DOT Order 2012-5-8 (Docket OST-20 12-0069). 

PASSED AND APPROVED on this the 22"d day of May 2012. 

ATTEST: 

City Secretary 

REV lEW ED :FOR ADMINISTRATION: 

ROBERT A. EADS 

City Manager 

i?OZAN ' ·EsT 

City Attorney 
APPENDIX B 

Page 1 

SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

DOCKET OST-2012-0069 

COVER SHEET 

(1) NAME: CITY OF DEL RIO 

(2) LEGAL SPONSOR: CITY OF DEL RIO 

DUNS: 0784822620000 EIN: 74-6000665 

(3) CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: TX-23 
SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

DOCKET OST -2012-0069 

SUMMARY INFORMATION 

APPENDIXC 

Page 1 

All applicants must submit this information with their proposal, along with a completed form SF424 on http:// 

www.grants.gov. 

A. APPLICANT INFORMATION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) 

• Not a Consortium D Interstate Consortium D Intrastate Consortium 

0 Community now receives EAS subsidy 

• Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Grant 

If previous recipient: Date of Grant: 09/24/2004 Expiration date of grant: 2 Yz years after execution of 

agreement 

Federal Funds Requested: $318,750 

Carrier(s) Service Obtained: United Airlines 

Destination(s) Served: Houston Intercontinental (IAH) 

B. PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: (LIST ORGANIZATION NAMES) 

Public Private 

1. Del Rio Chamber of Commerce 1. _______________ _ 

2. Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2. _______________ _ 3. 3. ____________________________ __ 

4. 4. ____________________________ _ 5. 5. _____________________________ __ 

C. PROJECT PROPOSAL: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) i. Marketing IJ D Upgrade Aircraft fJ D NewRoute 

lO Travel Bank [:] D Service Restoration D Subsidy 

lO Surface Transportation [J D Regional Service • Revenue Guarantee L] 

D Launch New. Carrier D Start Up Cost Offset D First Service 

•study iJ D Secure Additional Carrier D Other (explain below) 
D. EXISTING LANDING AIDS AT LOCAL AIRPORT: 

• FulllLS • Outer/Middle Marker 

APPENDIX C 

Page 2 

• Published Instrument Approach 

• Localizer • Other (specify) Lighting- HIRL's, PAPI's, MALS 

E. 

LINE 

Federal amount requested 

2 State cash financial contribution 

Local cash financial contribution 

3a Airport cash funds 

3b Non-airport cash funds 

3 Total · cash funds (3a + 3b) 

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1+2+3) 

In-Kind contribution 

Sa Airport In-Kind contribution** 

Sb Other In-Kind contribution** 

S TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION 

(5a + 5b) 

6 TOTAL PROJECT COST ( 4+8) 

F. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS** 

TOTAL AMOUNT 

$500,000 

0 

$600,000 

For funds in lines Sa (Airport In-Kind contribution) and 7b (Other In-Kind contribution), please describe the 

source(s) of fund(s) for each. 
APPENDIXC 

Page 3 

G. IS THIS APPLICATION SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY STATE UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372 

PROCESS? 

l · a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on 

(date) _______ _ 

b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the State for review. 

• c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372. 

H. IS THE APPLICANT DELINQUENT ON ANY FEDERAL DEBT? (IF "YES", PROVIDE EXPLANATION) 

• No D Yes (explain) 
June 1, 2012 

Ms. Aloha Ley, 

Dr! Rio. 

f0,8fl./4 

0erfkomme/"Ce 

2400 Veterans Blvd 

Suite I6C PMD 402 

Del Rio, Texas 78840 

Associate Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

DepartmentofT~rtation 

Dear Ms. Ley, 

The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD) has been very successful in 

assisting many small communities around the nation in their efforts to attain, maintain and 

enhance air passenger service. 

The Del Rio International Airport, serving the Border Region in Southwest Texas between 

Laredo and El Paso has applied for a SCASD grant with the funds primarily intended to assist 

the community with the promotion of their recently upgraded service from turboprop to jet 

service which is scheduled to begin June 7, 2012. This service upgrade is the result ofthe current 

regional carrier's bankruptcy filing and a genuine commitment by United Airlines to continue to 

provide air passenger service to this region. 

We would like to convey our sincerest support of the City of Del Rio's International Airport 

SCASD application. The availability of SCASD funds to promote the recently upgraded service 

will be beneficial to assisting with the airport's recovery of passenger enplanement levels 

making jet service a financially viable option for United Airlines to continue service. 

The Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce requests that you give the Del Rio International 

Airport application every possible consideration for funding. This service upgrade is urgently 

needed. 

Sincerely, 

t' ~-

~,_~~'"""'~ 

Alfonso" At5ervantes 

DRHCCChair 

830-488-7422 
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON 

:TexAS 

tlnitrd ~mtrs J5rnatr 

Ms. Billie Jo Grafton 

Airport Manager 

Del Rio International Airport 

11 04 West 1 Oth Street 

Del Rio, TX 78840 

Dear Ms. Grafton: 

WASHINGTON, DC 2051~4304 

June 6, 2012 

COMMHTHS 

~~PPR:OPRfAnONS 

t:OMMERCf, SCIENCE, 

!>NO ff1M;SPORfATiON 

MULtS AND AOM!NiSTPAPON 

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the grant proposal being submitted 

to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Small Community Air Service 

Development Grant Program. I appreciate the information provided about the proposal, 

and I am pleased to support the application. 

I have contacted the Department on your behalf and have encouraged the grant 

office to carefully consider the merits of this grant proposal. Your project will have a 

positive impact on the community by improving air service, frequency, and fares for 

travelers, leading to overall improved transportation options, including for those members 

of our armed forces traveling to and from Laughlin Air Force Base. 

I am committed to ensuring that each grant application receives a fair and 

thorough review, and you may be certain that I will continue to monitor the progress of 

this proposal. As the application process moves forward, please do not hesitate to contact 

me if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

KBH/ls 

We!ft,http:ilhutchison &enat<u;;ov 
Ms. Aloha Ley, 

Associate Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Department of Transportation 

Dear Ms. Ley, 

June 4, 2012 

The intent of this correspondence is to request your support in the City of Del Rio's application for the 

Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD) Grant for the Del Rio International 

Airport. The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD) has been very successful in 

assisting many small communities around the nation in their efforts to attain, maintain and enhance air 

passenger service. 

The Del Rio International Airport has been serving the Border Region in Southwest Texas between 

Laredo and El Paso since 2005. Recently, we were notified by United Airlines that our service will be 

upgraded from turboprop service to jet service scheduled to begin June 7, 2012. We believe this SCASD 

grant will be very beneficial in assisting us with the marketing efforts and the promotion of our new jet 

service and ultimately the end result of increasing our passenger enplanement numbers in and out of Del 

Rio. 

As a community we are committed to maintaining and growing sustainable air passenger service for this 

region. We have developed many local partnerships with governmental entities and businesses in a 

cooperative effort to promote air passenger service and have already began a new marketing initiative 

with a social media to reach out to the modem traveler. 

The availability of SCASD funds to promote the recently upgraded service will be extremely helpful with 

assisting the City of Del Rio's International Airport on the recovery of passenger enplanement levels in 

addition to making jet service a financially viable option for United Airlines to continue service in our 

region. 

Thank you for your consideration. If your office has questions or requires further information please do 

not hesitate to contact myself or City Manager Robert Eads at 830.774.8616 or via email at 

reads@cityofdelrio.com. 

Sincerely, 

cc: Robert A. Eads, City Manager 

City of Del Rio • 109 W. Broadway • Del Rio, TX • 78840 
Ms. Aloha Ley, 

Associate Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Department of Transportation 

Dear Ms. Ley, 

Del Rio International Airport 

1104 West 1Oth Street 

DelRio, Texas 78840 

May 30,2012 

The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD) has been very successful in 

assisting many small communities around the nation in their efforts to attain, maintain and 

enhance air passenger service. 

The Del Rio International Airport, serving the Border Region in Southwest Texas between 

Laredo and El Paso has applied for a SCASD grant with the funds primarily intended to assist 

the community with the promotion of their recently upgraded service from turboprop to jet 

service scheduled to begin June 7, 2012. This service upgrade is the result of the current regional 

carrier's bankruptcy filing and a genuine commitment by United Airlines to continue to provide 

air passenger service to this region. 

Serving as advisors to the airport we have watched the airport and surrounding community grow 

in their commitment to maintain sustainable air passenger service with each challenge faced to 

include several mergers, a bankruptcy and the severe decline in air service reliability. 

We would like to convey our sincerest support of the Del Rio International Airport SCASD 

application. The availability of SCASD funds to promote the recently upgraded service, we feel 

most assuredly, will make the difference in the airports recovery of passenger enplanement levels 

whereby making jet service a financially viable option for United Airlines to continue service. 

Therefore, the Del Rio International Airport Commission asks that you give the Del Rio 

International Airport application every possible consideration for funding. 

' ) . Chairman Susan Taylor, 
Del Rio International Airport Commissions 

Commissioner Sanders 

CollliDiSSiOD.'&f Casson, D.D.S. 
Ms. Aloha Ley, 

Associate Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Department of Transportation 

Dear Ms. Ley, 

June 4, 2012 

The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD) has been very successful in 

assisting many rural communities in their efforts to enhance their air passenger service. 

The Del Rio International Airport, serves the entire Middle Rio Grande Region (Southwest 

Texas) servicing other neighboring communities like Eagle Pass, Carrizo Springs, Bracketville, 

Uvalde, Alpine, to name a few. We also have industrial manufacturing partners in our Mexico 

sister city Cd. Acuna that depend on this service, and we can expect a demand from all those 

involved in the neighboring Eagle Ford Shale oil play. The City of Del Rio has applied for a 

SCASD grant with the funds primarily intended to assist the community with the promotion of 

their recently upgraded service from turboprop to jet service which is scheduled to begin June 7, 

2012. 

We would like to convey our sincerest support of the City of Del Rio's International Airport 

SCASD application. The availability of SCASD funds to promote the recently upgraded service 

will be beneficial to assisting with the airports recovery of passenger enplanement levels 

whereby making jet service a financially viable option for United Airlines to continue service. 

Therefore, the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce requests that you give the Del Rio International 

Airport application every possible consideration for funding. We would greatly appreciate your 

support.