S10-l(H)225-fl5S 

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US. Department of 

Thnsporfotlon 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

Assrslant Secrslary 1200 New Jersey Ave.. S.E 

WaBbinsioJ),gp 20590 

MAR 1 2 2010 

The Honorable Sean T. Connaughton 

Secretary of Transportation of Virginia 

Richmond, VA 23219 

Dear Secretary Connaughton; 

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Thank you for your letter relating to a proposed transaction between US Airways and Delta Air 

Lines. As part of that transaction. Delta would exchange certain slot interests at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA) for certain US Airways slot interests at LaGuardia Airport 

(LGA). 

Your letter expressed strong support for the proposed transaction, noting that if it WCTC approved 

new service from DCA would be initiated that would benefit the citizens and businesses of 

Northern Virginia. You asked that the Department give prompt attention to the matter, so fliat if 

the transaction were approved, service could be initiated in time for the 2010 peak travel season. 

As you may know, on February 9,2010. the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a 

tentative determination approving the proposed transaction, but subject to certain conditions. It 

tentatively found that the public interest would best be served if the potential harm created by the 

increased concentration at the airports were counterbalanced by affording new opportunities for 

competition by new entrant and limited incumbent carriers. Specifically, the tentative finding 

would require divestiture of 14 pairs of slot interests at DCA, and 20 pairs of slot interests at 

LGA, to such carriers. 

The proposed determination was published in the Federal Register on February 18 (75 Fed. Reg. 

7306)^ with a closing date for conunents from interested persons of March 22.2010. After 

receipt and review of the conMnents, we will take such fiirther action as appropriate. 
If I can provide fiirther information or assistance, please feel firee to call me. 

Sincerely yours. 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 

^-0^^; 

A copy of your letter will be placed in the docket for the proceedmg, ' . ,i> 
COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA 

Office of the Governor 

Sean T. Connaughton 

Secretary of Transportacirai 

February 12,2010 

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

U.S. Secretary of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Approval of the Proposed US Airways and Deha Air Lines Slot Transaction 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

I am writing to respectfiilly request an immediate approval of the proposed slot swap transaction 

between US Airways and Delta Air Lines announced last year. 

On August 12,2009, US Airways and Delta Air Lines announced a proposed transaction that 

would trade departure and arrival slots allowing US Airways and Delta to increase their operations to and 

fi-om Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), respectively. 

This arrangement will result in additional direct service fi-om DCA to eight new destinations, benefiting 

the citizens and businesses of Northern Virginia. This transaction will help bring new opportunities for 

economic growth and create new jobs in Virginia. 

US Airways and Delta Air Lines are among Virginia's most valued carriers. Each airline serves 

more cities in Virginia than any other airline. Furthermore, pursuing this opportunity is consistent with the 

airline industry's message imploring the government to allow it to fix its issues through rational business 

decisions and self-help mechanisms. 

It is critical that US Airways and Delta be permitted to close this transaction as soon as possible. 

The carriers are facing an approaching deadline to make necessary facility, scheduling, and crew bidding 

changes in time for the new services to be available for the start of the 2010 summer peak travel season. 

I look forward to a favorable reply. 

Sincerely yours. 

SC:gh 

Sean T. Connaughton 

PatrLck Henry Building * 1111 East Broad Street • Richmond, Virginia 23219 • (804) 786-8032 • TTY (800) 828-1120