SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Robert W. Kneisley

Associate General Counsel

1901 L Street, N.W. – Suite 640

Washington, D.C. 20036

(202) 263-6284

(202) 263-6291 Fax

bob.kneisley@wnco.com

______________________________________________________________________________

April 5, 2012

Filed in the Docket Electronically 

The Honorable Susan Kurland

Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Application of Southwest Airlines Co. for Beyond-Perimeter Slot 

Exemptions (DCA-AUS-SAN); Docket DOT-OST-2012-0029

Dear Assistant Secretary Kurland:

Attached please find additional letters of support for Southwest Airlines’ 

Application in this proceeding for two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions for nonstop 

service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and AustinBergstrom International Airport (AUS), with single-plane beyond service to San Diego 

(SAN), from Lieutenant Governor of Texas David Dewhurst and the small-business 

organization Women Impacting Public Policy. In addition, I have enclosed a copy of the 

press release that Southwest issued this week announcing that over 12,000 individuals 

endorsed a petition on Southwest's website, www.southwest.com/aus, in support of the 

above captioned service. 

Copies of these attachments are being served on all parties to this proceeding.

Sincerely, 

_____________________

Robert W. Kneisley

cc: All parties on Southwest’s service list. 


1156 15th St. NW Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005 ~ 888.488.WIPP ~ Fax: (202) 872-8454

1714 Stockton Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94133 ~ 415.434.4314 ~ Fax: 415.434.4331

Website: www.WIPP.org

March 20, 2012

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood

Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket DOT-OST-2012-0029

Dear Secretary LaHood,

On behalf of Women Impacting Public Policy I write to voice my strong support for Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) 

application for daily nonstop service between Reagan National Airport (DCA) and the City of Austin. As a national organization 

working on behalf of one million business owners through 61 small business associations across the country, we know that small 

business owners need access to convenient – time conscious travel and low fares. Because of the lack of effective low-fare 

competition, DCA travelers have endured inadequate travel options and high average ticket prices for years.

With Southwest’s 40-year history of providing low-fare completion and with a nationwide route map that is second-tonone among low-cost airlines, Southwest is in the best position to bring competitive benefits to DCA. Moreover, as the nation’s 

largest domestic airline, Southwest would bring competitive benefits to markets beyond DCA-Austin. This would include several 

cities with few travel options to DCA today and which would benefit from one-stop or connecting opportunities via Austin.

Finally, Southwest proposes serving the DCA-Austin market – as well as same-plane, continuing service to/from San 

Diego – with large Boeing aircraft (i.e., the 737-800 with 175 seats). Large plane service will ensure that DCA’s limited slot 

authorizations are used in a manner that serves the greatest public benefit.

 

For these reasons, I respectfully ask for the Department of Transportation’s approval of Southwest’s application in the 

above-referenced proceeding.

Sincerely,

Barbara Kasoff

President 
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CUSTOMERS RALLY FOR NEW FLIGHTS CONNECTING

AUSTIN AND RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT

Liberty and LUV: Stakeholders Urge DOT to Approve Flights Between Capital Cities

DALLAS – April 4, 2012, 2012 – Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) this week filed comments

reflecting the resounding endorsement of more than 12,000 petitioners, as well as dozens of community and 

political leaders, all of whom echo support for the carrier’s application with the U.S. Department of 

Transportation (DOT) to offer nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. During a two-week period, thousands of visitors to 

southwest.com/aus registered their support of the application, which also details Southwest’s proposal to 

provide one-stop, same-plane service between Washington National and San Diego via Austin. Recent 

federal legislation makes possible the proposed service by authorizing new flights to cities beyond

Washington National’s traditional 1,250 mile service perimeter.

“This outpouring of support reflects the need for Southwest Airlines to offer our low fares, new 

service options, and increased competition in these markets,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, 

President, and CEO. “Consumers will have all of this along with Southwest’s Legendary Customer Service.” 

Current fares for connecting service between Austin-Bergstrom and Washington National are more 

than 50 percent higher than Southwest’s average fare for the same distance, enabling Southwest to offer 

sharply lower prices to consumers on this currently un-served nonstop route.

This new nonstop service, if approved by the DOT, also would connect Washington National with 

other Southwest destinations such as Dallas Love Field and Houston Hobby—offering Customers low fare,

connecting opportunities to and from Washington National via Austin. Southwest plans to operate the 

proposed daily Washington National-Austin-San Diego service utilizing Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 175 

seats.

A decision by the DOT is expected in May, and Southwest is prepared to begin service this summer, 

provided Southwest’s application is approved.

About Southwest Airlines Co.

Now in its 39th consecutive year of profitability, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other 

low-fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the 

nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and has acquired AirTran 

Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. Southwest serves 73 cities in 38 states 

and remains one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line 

of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good 
citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, 

Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 37,000 Employees.