,~

U,s. Deportment

of Tronsportatlon

Office 01 the Secretary

01Transportation

Assistant Seerelary

AUG 20 2013 .

'200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Mr. Robert C. Wonderling

Chairman & CEO Council for Growth

200 South Broad Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Dear Mr. Wonderling:

1)

Thank you for your letter of July 2, urging the Department to amend its tentative decision in the

2013/2014 U.S.-Brazil Combination Frequency Proceeding, and to grant US Airways' request to

begin nonstop service from Philadclphia International Airport to Silo Paulo, Brazil.

On July 3,2013, after carefully considering the complete record developed for the proceeding,

including formal pleadings submitted by the various air carriers and civic pat1ies, the Department

finalized its tentative decision. You may view the Department's decision and all other publicly

available documents filed in the doCket by accessing the Federal Docket Management System

(FDMS) at www.rcgulations.govandsearchingforDocketDOT-OST-2013-0072.Asis our

standard practice, I am placing a copy of your letter and my response in Docket DOT-OST-2013-

0072, as a contact outside the record of this case.

I appreciate your interest in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland

Assistanl Secretary for

Aviation and International Affairs
,

CEO COUNCIL

fOR GROWTH.

July 2, .2013

zoo South Broad Street Suite 100. Philadelphia, PA19102'38961' 215.190.3117I'Zi5.790.3120 I"selectgr.'lerphiledelphia.com

The Honorable Susan L. Kurland

Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE,Washington, DC 20590-9898

Re: Docket DOT-OST-2013-QOn, Order 2013.6-16

Dear Assistant Secretary Kurland:

On behalf of the members of the CEOCouncil for Growth, I am writing to urge the Department to amend Its

Tentative Decision and grant US Airways' request to initiate da"jfy,nonstop flights ftom Philadelphia to Sao

Paulo. USAirways' request is in the public interest and would have a positive economic impact on the Greater

Philadelphia region:

As you know, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is LiSAirways' second largest national hub. US Airways'

presence at PHL is a major contributor toour region's economy, helping to facilitate business and leisure travel

in the United States and abroad. Granting US Airways a route from PHL to Sao Paulo would be particularly

beneficial to our region given the sizable and growing population of Brazilian-Americans and Brazilian

immigrants In Philadelphia who travel to Sao Paulo and because of the desirability of Philadelphia as a location

for Brazilian-based corporations doing busineSSin the United States, For example, Braskem, a Brazilian global

chemical manufacturer, directs its U.S. operations from its headquarters in Philadelphia.

In addition to. our region's growing connection to Brazil, we would request that you more strongly consider the

broader community interest when making your determination on routes both now and in the future. As was

previously noted, Philadelphia is the only hub city without non'stop service to Brazil and as the 4th largest

media market in the United States and heart of the 5th largest economy In the world, Greater Philadelphia is

significantly disadvantaged by lack of a direct route. Many of our region's academic institutions, health care

systems, l!nd corporations are seeking to establish ties to open markets in Soutn America and ttle lack of direct

access impedes these efforts.

The PHL to Sao Paulo route would also provide for more competition In tne ml!rketpll!ce andl!n l!dditlonl!'

option for travelers witnout undermining the viability of other flights to Sl!OPl!ulo from other U.S. cities

offered by USAirwl!Ys' competitors. We do not believe thl!t grl!nting US Airways' request would undermine

service from Los Angeles, Detroit, or l!nyother city; rl!ther, it would complement these routes l!nd provide

more options for travelers.

Given the positive Impl!ct It would nave on our region l!nd the U.s. l!lrline ml!rket, we strongly urge' the

Department to reconsider its Tentative Decision l!nd l!pprove USAlrwl!ys' request to offer nonstop service

from PHL to Sao Paulo.

Ro ert C. Wondeiilng

Chalrml!n, CEO'Councii for Growth

. . .,

. Burlington I Camden I Gloucester I Mercer I Salem P8nnslfwn1a BucksIChester IOeloWe"1 Montgome'YIPhiledelphia

,.,nlihb.\

GREATER PHlLAD[lPlltA

CHAU8ER or COHN£RC£~