THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590

The Honorable Darrell lssa U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Issa: April 24, 2012**~f'1":: ~** **'~'** Ji

Thankyou for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the use of newly authorized slotexemptions 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 fourlarge incumbent carriers at DCA two slot exemptions each for beyond-perimeter service, on the condition that, priorto initiating the new operations, they discontinue use oftwo slots they used for within-perimeter large hub service. In addition, under authority granted by the Act, the Department will be awarding a total ofeight 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 ofthese two categories, US Airways notified the Department on March 21 ofits

intent to operate one daily nonstop round trip flight from DCA to SAN, beginning on June 8, 2012. Itwill use its family ofsingle-aisle Airbus A319/320/321 aircraft to provide service on the route. We also received notices ofintent from American Airlines to serve Los Angeles, from DeltaAir 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. Othertimely 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; SouthwestAirlines, 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 ofthe points raised in your letter. However, Ican 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 apublic docket, which allows all interested parties the opportunity to comtnent. Following our normal practice, Iam placing acopy ofyour letterand this respo · docket number DOT-2012-0029. Asimilarresponse has been sentto matter.THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590



### The Honorable Susan Davis U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Davis: April 24, 2012



### Thank you for yourletter, cosigned by yourcongressional colleagues, supporting the useof newly authorized slotexemptions at RonaldReagan WashingtonNational Airport (DCA) to provide nonstop se.rvice to San Diego International Airport (SAN). The FAAModernization and ReformActof2012 directed the U.S. Departmentof Transportationto make available to four large incumbentcarriers at DCA two slotexemptions each for beyond-perimeter service, on the condition that, priorto initiating the new**operations~** 

### they discontinueuse oftwo slots they used for**within~perimeter** 

### large hub service. In addi'tion, under authority granted by the Act. the Department 

### will be awarding atotal ofeight slot exemptions at DCA to new entrantor limited incumbent carriers, which will support fourmore daily round-trips to ai.rports beyond the perimeter. Underthe first ofthese two categories, US Airways notified the Department on March 21 ofits intentto operate one daily nonstop round trip flight from DCAto SAN? beginning on June 8. 2012. lt will use its family ofsingle-aisle Airbus Al19/320/321 aircraftto provide service on the route. We also reeeived notices ofintent from American Airlines to 

### setve Los Angeles, from DeltaAirLines to serve Salt Lake City, and from United AirLines 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. Othertimely applications were received from AirCanada, proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines, oneround trip to Colorado Springs and beyond to 

### San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one roundtrip to 

### San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round trip to Austin) Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin andbeyondto San Diego; Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las 

### Vegas; and Virgin America. Inc., two round trips to San Francisco. As this matteris still pending, Icannot commenton the merits ofthe points raised in your letter. However, Icanassure you that all applications the Departmentreceived will be given full and fairconsiderationand will be evaluated againstthe 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, Iam 

### placing acopy ofyour letter and this response in docket numberDOT-2012 29. A 

### similarresponse 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 yourletter, cosigned by yourcongressional colleagues, supportingthe use of newly authorized slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan WashingtonNational 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, 

### priorto initiating the new operations, they discontinue use oftwo slots they used for within-pe.rlmeter large hub service. In addition, under authority granted by the Act, the Department will be awarding atotal ofeight slot exemptions at DCA to 

### new entrant or limited incumbentcarriers, which will support fourmore daily**round~trips**

### to airports beyond the perimeter. Underthe first ofthese two categories, US Airways notified the Departmenton March 21 ofits intentto operate one daily nonstop round trip flight fr()m DCA to SAN, beginning Qn June 8, 2012. Itwill use its family ofsingle-aisle Airbus A319/320/321 aircraftto provide service on the route. We also received notices ofintent from American Airlines to serve Los Angeles, from DeltaAir Lines to serve Salt Lake City. and from United Air Lines to serve San Franciseo. As to the new entrant/limited incumbent category, AlaskaAirlines submitted an applicationon March 12 for four slot exemptions, proposing to providedaily nonstop service from DCA to SAN with one pair, and to Portland, Oregon, with the .other. Othertimely applications were received fromAirCanada,. proposing one round trip to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines, one roundtrip to Colorado Springs and beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to SanJuan, Puerto**Rico~** 

### and one round trip to**Austin~** 

### Texas; SouthwestAirlines, 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, Icannotcommenton the merits ofthe points raised in your letter. However. Ican assure. you that all applications the Departmentreceived will be given full and fair consideration and will be evaluated againstthe selection criteria specified in the statute.Page2 The Honorable Brian Bilbray The Department's action on this matteris being administered through apublic docket, which allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following our normal practice, Iam placing acopy ofyour letter and this response in docket numberDOT-2 029. Asimilarresponse has been sent to eac matter.THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHlNGTON, O.C. 20590

The Honorable Duncan Hunter U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington) DC 20515 DearCongressman Hunter: April 24, 2012

Thankyou for yourletter, cosigned by your congressional c.oUeagues, supporting the use of newly authorized slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan WashingtonNational Airport (DCA) to provide nonstop service to San. Diego International Airport (SAN). The FAA Modernization andReform Actof2012 directed the U.S. Department of Transportation to make available to four large incumbent carriers atDCA two slotexemptions eachfor beyond-perimeter service, on the condition that, priorto initiating the new operations. they discontinue use oftwo slots they used for within-perimeter targe hub service. In addition. underauthority granted by the Act. the Department will be awarding a total ofeightslot exemptions at DCA to new entrant or limited incumbentcarriers, which will supportfour more daily round-trips to airports beyond theperimeter. Underthe first ofthese two categories, US Airways notified the Department on Match 21 ofits intentto operate one daily nonstop round trip flight from DCA to SAN. beginning onJune 8, 2012. It will use its family of**single~aisle** Airbus A319/320/321 aircraft to provide service onthe route. We also received notices ofintent from American Airlines to serve Los Angeles# from DeltaAir Lines to serve SaltLake City, and from United AirLines to serve San Francisco. As to the new entrant/limited incumbent category, Alaska Airlines submitted anapplication on March 12 for four slotexemptions, prt>posing to provide daily nonstop service from DCAto SAN with one pair, and to Portland, Oregon, with the other. Othertimely 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; SouthwestAirlines, 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 commentonthe merits ofthe points raised inyourlectter. However, Icanassure you that all applications the Departmentreceived will be given full 

### and fair consideration. and will be evaluated againstthe selection criteria specified in the statute.Page2 The Honorable Duncan Hunter

• The Department's action on this matteris being administered through apublic docket, which allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following ournormal practice. Iam placing acopy ofyourletter and this response in docket numberDOT-2012-0029. Asimilar response has been sent to each cosigner 

### ofyour letter. I appreciate your inte.rest inthis matter.THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590

The Honorable Bob Filner U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515
DearCongressman 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 oftwo slots they used for within-perimeterlarge hub service. In addition, under authority granted by the Act, the Department will be awarding a total ofeight 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 ofthese two categories, US Airways notified the Department on March 21 ofits intentto operate one daily nonstop round trip flight from DCA to SAN, beginning on June 8, 2012. It will use its family ofsingle-aisle Airbus A319/320/321 aircraft to provide service on the route. We also received notices ofintent 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. Othertimely 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, Icannot comment on the merits ofthe points raised in your letter. However, Ican 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 administeredthrough apublic docket, which allows all interested partiesthe opportunity to comment. Following ownormal practice, Iam placing acopy ofyour letter and this response in docket number DOT-2012-0029. Asimilarresponse has been sent to each matter.

# <!tnngresn nf t4e 1J:tnitei) 

# j;tat.ea llllfttzl,iughnt, IDQt 20515

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary ofTransportation March 09, 2012

United States Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590 Dear Secretary LaHood, With the signing ofa full FAA authorization bill into law (P.L.l12-95), sixteen new slot exemptions (eight round-trip flights) are permitted forbeyond-perimeter flying out ofRonald 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 domesticpassengermarket 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 largerthan three regions outside the perimeter with current nonstop service to DCA. Anonstop 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 aresult, the region's defense industries and active-duty staffrequire 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 ofpassengers in this market that wouldbenefit from anew nonstop flight, we support using anew available slot exemption for nonstop service between SAN and DCA. Thank you for takingthe time to review this letter. We look forward to yourresponse.

Da1Tell Issa Member ofCongress



## s 10-120320-008 Sincerely,

I'IIJNTED ON RECYCLED PAPER , Su n Davis Member ofCongressBrian Bilbray MemberofCon



# s10-120320-008 Duncan HuJ).ter MemberofCongress