THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Darrell lssa 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Issa: 

April 24, 2012 ~f'1":: 

~ '~' J i 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the use of 

newly authorized slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to 

provide nonstop service to San Diego International Airport (SAN). 

The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 directed the U.S. Department of 

Transportation to make available to four large incumbent carriers at DCA two slot exemptions 

each for beyond-perimeter service, on the condition that, prior to initiating the new operations, 

they discontinue use of two slots they used for within-perimeter large hub service. In addition, 

under authority granted by the Act, the Department will be awarding a total of eight slot 

exemptions at DCA to new entrant or limited incumbent carriers, which will support four more 

daily round-trips to airports beyond the perimeter. 

/ Under the first of these two categories, US Airways notified the Department on March 21 of its 

intent to operate one daily nonstop round trip flight from DCA to SAN, beginning on June 8, 

2012. It will use its family of single-aisle Airbus A319/320/321 aircraft to provide service on the 

route. We also received notices of intent from American Airlines to serve Los Angeles, from 

Delta Air Lines to serve Salt Lake City, and from United Air Lines to serve San Francisco. 

As to the new entrant/limited incumbent category, Alaska Airlines submitted an application on 

March 12 for four slot exemptions, proposing to provide daily nonstop service from DCA to 

SAN with one pair, and to Portland, Oregon, with the other. Other timely applications were 

received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier 

Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one 

round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one 

round trip to Austin and beyond to San Diego; Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las 

Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to San Francisco. 

As this matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 
Page2 

The Honorable Darrell Issa 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket, which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comtnent. Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this respo · docket number DOT-2012-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Susan Davis 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Davis: 

April 24, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the use of 

newly authorized slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to 

provide nonstop se.rvice to San Diego International Airport (SAN). 

The FAA Modernization and ReformActof2012 directed the U.S. Department of 

Transportation to make available to four large incumbent carriers at DCA two slot exemptions 

each for beyond-perimeter service, on the condition that, prior to initiating the new operations~ 

they discontinue use of two slots they used for within~perimeter large hub service. In addi'tion, 

under authority granted by the Act. the Department will be awarding a total of eight slot 

exemptions at DCA to new entrant or limited incumbent carriers, which will support four more 

daily round-trips to ai.rports beyond the perimeter. 

Under the first of these two categories, US Airways notified the Department on March 21 of its 

intent to operate one daily nonstop round trip flight from DCA to SAN? beginning on June 8. 

2012. lt will use its family of single-aisle Airbus Al19/320/321 aircraft to provide service on the 

route. We also reeeived notices of intent from American Airlines to setve Los Angeles, from 

Delta Air Lines to serve Salt Lake City, and from United Air Lines to serve San Francisco. 

As to the new entrant/limited incumbent category. Alaska Airlines submitted an application on 

March 12 for four slot exemptions~ proposing to provide daily nonstop service from DCA to 

SAN wi.th one pair, and to Portland, Oregon, with the other. Other timely applications were 

received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier 

Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one 

round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin) Texas; Southwest Airlines, one 

round trip to Austin and beyond to San Diego; Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las 

Vegas; and Virgin America. Inc., two round trips to San Francisco. 

As this matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 
Page2 

The Honorable Susan Davis 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket, which 

allows all intere.sted parties the opportunity to comment, Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT-2012 29. 

A similar response has been sent t 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Brian Bilbray 

U.S. House ofRepresentatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Bilbtay: 

April 24, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the use of 

newly authorized slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to 

provide nonstop service to San Diego International Airport (SAN). 

The FAA Modernization and Ref()nn Act of2012 directed the U.S. Department of 

Transportation to make available to four large incumbent carriers at DCA two slot exemptions 

each for beyond~perimeter service, on the condition that, prior to initiating the new operations, 

they discontinue use of two slots they used for within-pe.rlmeter large hub service. In addition, 

under authority granted by the Act, the Department will be awarding a total of eight slot 

exemptions at DCA to new entrant or limited incumbent carriers, which will support four more 

daily round~trips to airports beyond the perimeter. 

Under the first of these two categories, US Airways notified the Department on March 21 of its 

intent to operate one daily nonstop round trip flight fr()m DCA to SAN, beginning Qn June 8, 

2012. It will use its family of single-aisle Airbus A319/320/321 aircraft to provide service on the 

route. We also received notices of intent from American Airlines to serve Los Angeles, from 

Delta Air Lines to serve Salt Lake City. and from United Air Lines to serve San Franciseo. 

As to the new entrant/limited incumbent category, Alaska Airlines submitted an application on 

March 12 for four slot exemptions, proposing to provide daily nonstop service from DCA to 

SAN with one pair, and to Portland, Oregon, with the .other. Other timely applications were 

received from Air Canada,. proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier 

Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one 

round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico~ and one round trip to Austin~ Texas; Southwest Airlines, one 

round trip to.Austin and beyond to San Diego; Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las 

Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips f() San Francisco. · 

As this matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits ofthe points raised in your letter. 

However. I can assure. you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 
Page2 

The Honorable Brian Bilbray 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket, which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT-2 029. 

A similar response has been sent to eac 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHlNGTON, O.C. 20590 

The Honorable Duncan Hunter 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington) DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Hunter: 

April 24, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional c.oUeagues, supporting the use of 

newly authorized slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to 

provide nonstop service to San. Diego International Airport (SAN). 

The FAA Modernization and Reform Actof2012 directed the U.S. Department of 

Transportation to make available to four large incumbent carriers at DCA two slot exemptions 

each for beyond-perimeter service, on the condition that, prior to initiating the new operations. 

they discontinue use of two slots they used for within-perimeter targe hub service. In addition. 

under authority granted by the Act. the Department will be awarding a total of eight slot 

exemptions at DCA to new entrant or limited incumbent carriers, which will support four more 

daily round-trips to airports beyond the perimeter. 

Under the first of these two categories, US Airways notified the Department on Match 21 of its 

intent to operate one daily nonstop round trip flight from DCA to SAN. beginning on June 8, 

2012. It will use its family of single~aisle Airbus A319/320/321 aircraft to provide service on the 

route. We also received notices of intent from American Airlines to serve Los Angeles# from 

Delta Air Lines to serve Salt Lake City, and from United Air Lines to serve San Francisco. 

As to the new entrant/limited incumbent category, Alaska Airlines submitted an application on 

March 12 for four slot exemptions, prt>posing to provide daily nonstop service from DCA to 

SAN with one pair, and to Portland, Oregon, with the other. Other timely applications were 

received from Air Canada~ proposiug one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia;. Frontier 

Airlines~ one round trip to Colorado Springs and beyond to San. Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one 

round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one 

round trip to Austin and beyond to San Diego; Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las 

. Vegas; and Virgin Americat Inc., two round trips to San Fr~U'leisco. 

As this matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your lectter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration. and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 
Page2 

The Honorable Duncan Hunter 

• 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket, which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice. I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT-2012-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to each cosigner of your letter. I appreciate your inte.rest in this 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Bob Filner 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Filner: 

April 24, 2012 

( 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the use of 

newly authorized slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to 

provide nonstop service to San Diego International Airport (SAN). 

The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 directed the U.S. Department of 

Transportation to make available to four large incumbent carriers at DCA two slot exemptions 

each for beyoncJ-perimeter service, on the condition that, prior to initiating the new operations, 

they discontinue use of two slots they used for within-perimeter large hub service. In addition, 

under authority granted by the Act, the Department will be awarding a total of eight slot 

exemptions at DCA to new entrant or limited incumbent carriers, which will support four more 

daily round-trips to airports beyond the perimeter. 

Under the first of these two categories, US Airways notified the Department on March 21 of its 

intent to operate one daily nonstop round trip flight from DCA to SAN, beginning on June 8, 

2012. It will use its family of single-aisle Airbus A319/320/321 aircraft to provide service on the 

route. We also received notices of intent from American Airlines to serve Los Angeles, from 

Delta Air Lines to serve Salt Lake City, and from United Air Lines to serve San Francisco. 

As to the new entrant/limited incumbent category, Alaska Airlines submitted an application on 

March 12 for four slot exemptions, proposing to provide daily nonstop service from DCA to 

SAN with one pair, and to Portland, Oregon, with the other. Other timely applications were 

received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier 

Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBiue Airlines, one 

round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one 

round trip to Austin and beyond to San Diego; Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las 

Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to San Francisco. 

As this matter is still pending, I cannot comment on the merits of the points raised in your letter. 

However, I can assure you that all applications the Department received will be given full and 

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 
Page2 

The Honorable Bob Filner 

The Department's action on this matter is being administered through a public docket, which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following ow normal practice, I am 

placing a copy of your letter and this response in docket number DOT-2012-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to each 

matter. 
<!tnngresn nf t4e 1J:tnitei) j;tat.ea 

llllfttzl,iughnt, IDQt 20515 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

March 09, 2012 

United States Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood, 

With the signing of a full FAA authorization bill into law (P .L.l12-95), sixteen new slot 

exemptions (eight round-trip flights) are permitted for beyond-perimeter flying out of Ronald 

Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Additional beyond-perimeter flights will enhance 

competition at the airp01t and provide better fares and greater value for the traveling public. 

San Diego is the largest domestic passenger market that does not have nonstop service to 

DCA. The San Diego region also ranks as the most populated area without nonstop service to 

the closest airport serving our nation's capital. In fact, the San Diego region is larger than three 

regions outside the perimeter with current nonstop service to DCA. A nonstop flight between 

San Diego and DCA would provide an enormous benefit to individuals, families and business 

travelers. 

The San Diego area also hosts more active-duty military personnel than anywhere else in 

the country. As a result, the region's defense industries and active-duty staff require nonstop air 

service to the closest airport to the Pentagon. 

San Diego International Airport (SAN) serves more than 16 million people annually, with 

flights to 50 destinations in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe and soon Japan. Nonstop service 

to DCA would fill a conspicuous air service gap and comply with the law's intent to "increase 

competition to multiple markets." Due to the large number of passengers in this market that 

would benefit from a new nonstop flight, we support using a new available slot exemption for 

nonstop service between SAN and DCA. 

Thank you for taking the time to review this letter. We look forward to your response. 

Da1Tell Issa 

Member of Congress 

s 10-120320-008 

Sincerely, 

I'IIJNTED ON RECYCLED PAPER , 

Su n Davis 

Member of Congress 
Brian Bilbray 

Member of Con 

s 10-120320-008 

Duncan HuJ).ter 

Member of Congress