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



### _______________________________________________________________________________

December 19, 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 Within-Perimeter Slot Exemptions (DCA-HOU); Docket DOT-OST- 2000 -7182 (Part 3 of 3 )

Dear Ms. Kurland:

Please find attached the third of three parts of a packet of letters (61 in total) in support of Southwest Airlines’ application for two within-perimeter slot exemptions for
DCA -HOU- ABQ service. This submission includes additional letters from national organizations and major businesses that would benefit from an expanded Southwest presence at DCA and particularly new DCA-HOU-ABQ service.

Sincerely,

_____________________ Robert W. Kneisley

cc: All parties on Southwest’s service list

### Letters Supporting Southwest Airlines’ Proposed DCA

– HOU

– ABQ Service

PART I (* sent via a separate submission)

Federal Officials

1.) Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senator John Cornyn 2.) Texas Congressional Delegation

– Representatives Pete Olson, Gene Green, Ted Poe, Charles Gonzalez, John Culberson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Michael McCaul, Blake Farenthold, Francisco “ Quico ” Canseco, Mac Thornberry, John Carter, Lamar Smith, Sam Johnson, Joe Barton, Randy Neugebauer, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Kay Granger, Bill Flores, Michael Burgess, Louie Gohmert, Ruben Hinojosa, Henry Cuellar, Michael Conaway, Ralph Hall, Kenny Marchant, Al Green, and Pete Sessions 3.) New Mexico Congressional Delegation

– Senator Jeff Bingaman, Senator Tom Udall, Senator-elect and Rep. Martin Heinrich, Rep. Steve Pearce and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan

State Officials

4.) Texas Governor Rick Perry 5.) Texas State Representative Garnet Coleman 6.) Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis 7.) Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner 8.) Texas State Representative Harold V. Dutton, Jr. 9.) Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson 10.) Texas State Representative Dr. Alma A. Allen 11.) Texas State Representative Jessica Farrar 12.) Texas State Representative Ana Hernandez Luna 13.) New Mexico State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez 14.) New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela

PART II (*sent via a separate submission)

Local Officials

15.) Houston Mayor Annise Parker 16.) Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry 17.) Houston Mayor Pro-Tem and Council Member Ed Gonzalez 18.) Houston City Council Member Andrew C. Burks, Jr. 19.) Houston City Council Member Jack Christie, D.C. 20.) Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez 21.) Houston City Council Member Melissa Noriega 22.) Houston City Council Member Larry V. Green 23.) Houston City Council Member Stephen C. Costello 24.) Houston City Council Member Ellen R. Cohen 25.) Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation, Houston Airports System

### 26.) James D. Hinde, Director of Aviation, City of Albuquerque/ABQ Airport

State/Regional Organizations

27.) Greater Houston Partnership 28.) Houston Area Urban League 29.) Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 30.) Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce 31.) Texas Travel Industry Association 32.) Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce 33.) Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership 34.) Greater Hobby Area Chamber of Commerce 35.) Houston East End Chamber of Commerce 36.) Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce 37.) Association of Commerce & Industry of New Mexico

PART III (*contained herein)

National Organizations

38.) Transportation Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 556 39.) Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association 40.) International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (Dora Cervantes, Assistant Secretary) 41.) United States Hispanic Leadership Institute 42.) VotoLatino 43.) Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund 44.) Council for Opportunity in Education 45.) Latino Leaders Network 46.) Earth Day Network 47.) US Business Leadership Network 48.) Dialogue on Diversity 49.) Organization of Chinese Americans 50.) Japanese American Citizens League 51.) America Society on Aging 52.) National Asian American Coalition 53.) Asian American & Pacific Islander Association of Colleges & Universities 54.) National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Major Companies/Institutions

55.) University of Texas System 56.) George Washington University 57.) BMC Software 58.) Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) 59.) Blue Bell Creameries, L.P. 60.) SER -Jobs for Progress National, Inc. 61.) Winstead, P.C.431 S. Dearborn St.  Suite 1203  Chicago, IL 60605

- 1152
Phone 312

- 427

- 8683  Fax 312

- 427

- 5183



### December 12 , 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

- OS T

- 2000

- 7182 Dear Secretary LaHood :

As President of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) , a Chicago

- based national nonprofit organization with an executive office in Washington, DC , I am writing to respectfully

convey my strong support f or Southwest Airlines and its application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which Southwest would use to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today there is no scheduled
air s ervice between DCA and Hobby.

USHLI is a member of a coalition of 30 national and regional policy advocacy orga nization s representing the Latino community and serving most of its 50 million people . Coalition m embers utilize DCA frequently to meet our trav el needs. And, as part of a 16

- member association of national organizations that focus on corporate responsibility, USHLI and our association memb ers that frequently utilize DCA have endured inadequate travel options and high ticket prices for years.

Ba sically t he Houston

- DCA market is under served and overpriced. As the n ation’s largest low

- cost airline, Southwest is in position to provide significant consumer benefits in this important market.
Since 1971 Southwest has engendered the highest degree of consumer confidence for consistently lowering ticket prices and stimulating more passenger traffic in the markets it enters.

Offering m ore competition, lower airfares and the use of a 143

- seat aircraft, Southwest’s proposed service is projected to attract tens

- of

- thousand s of new passengers and generate millions of dollars in consumer benefits annually in the DCA

- Houston market. And b usiness and leisure travelers would

also benefit if Southwest is able to bring low

- fare competition to the Houston

- DCA mark et.

For thes e reasons, I respectfully urge the Department of Transportation to approve the application by
Southwest Airlines for two slot exemptions at DCA in the above

- referenced proceeding.

Sincerely,

Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr
PresidentDecember 12, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket No. DOT

- OST

- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I am writing to you on behalf of my organization and my constituents at Voto Latino Inc., the nation's leading non

- profit working to educate, empower, and engage young Latinos ages 18

- 35. In the interest of promoting airline competition, affordable airfares and greater access between the Na tion’s Capital and Greater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to use thes e slot exemption to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today, there is no scheduled air service between DCA and Hobby.

The Houston

- DCA market is underserved and overpriced. As the Nation’s largest low

- cost airline

, Southwest is well suited to provide significant consumer benefits in this important market. Since 1971, Southwest has a proven track record of lowering ticket prices and stimulating more passenger traffic in
the markets it enters.

Through new competiti on, lower airfares, and the use of a 143

- seat aircraft, Southwest’s proposed service is projected to attract tens

- of

- thousand of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually in the DCA

- Houston market. Business and leisure travelers stand to benefit if Southwest is able to bring low

- fare competition to the Houston

- DCA market.

Again, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwest’s application for two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Maria Teresa Kumar

PresidentD E B R U S S E L L , B O A R D C H A I R , U S B L N ® J I L L H O U G H T O N , E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

M A N A G E R , D I V E R S I T Y & I N L C U S I O N , W A L G R E E N S U S B U S I N E S S L E A D E R S H I P N E T W O R K - U S B L N ®

102 W I L M O T R O A D , D E E R F I E L D , I L 6 0 0 1 5 1 3 1 0 B R A D D O C K P L , S T E 1 0 1 , A L E X A N D R I A , V A 2 2 3 1 4

847

- 315

- 8882 954

- 461

- 4726

D E B . R U S S E L L @ W A L G R E E N S . C O M J I L L @ U S B L N . O R G US Business Leadership Network ® (USBLN ® )

1310 Braddock Place, Suite 101 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (800) 706-2710 Fax: (800) 706- 1335 info@usbln.org www.usbln.org

December 11, 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 No. DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

On behalf of the US Business Leadership Network ® (USBLN ® ), we write in strong support of Southwest Airlines' application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to begin daily nonstop service between Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby) and Washington DC's only downtown airport.

As a major U.S. company headquartered in Houston, our employees frequently fly to Washington, DC. Today, nonstop access to DCA is limited to service from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), located 22 miles north from

downtown Houston. From IAH, only one airline serves the Houston-DCA market.

With its application, Southwest proposes to operate a new nonstop flight between DCA and Hobby, which is situated 12 miles south of downtown Houston. A nonstop Hobby-DCA flight will not only be convenient for our team, it will create much needed competition in this important market and, with it, lower average ticket prices and improved service options

for Houston-based travelers.

Southwest has served Houston for over 41 years and is a strong partner in our community. Undoubtedly, a Southwestoperated Hobby-DCA flight will create significant consumer benefits for Greater Houston. For this reason, we respectfully ask the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest's application.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration of our organization's views in this important matter.



### Sincerely,



### Deb Russell Jill D. Houghton
USBLN ® 

### Board Chair USBLN ® 

### Executive DirectorOver Twenty Years of Service to American’s Diverse Communities



### December 15, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Mr. Secretary:

Dialogue on Diversity, of which I am president, a non-profit educational organization, is proud to
have been associated with Southwest Airlines for se veral years as a Community Partner. W e have utilized the company’s excellent air services, moreover, for travel in connection with our organization’s work. It is our understanding th at Southwest Airlines has requested permission for
the use of certain now available slots at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), for proposed use in service to the Hobby Airport at Houston, Texas. It appears that at this time – perhaps surprisingly – no direct air service between these two major air terminals is available. Southwest, in seeking use of the slots, would offer quite admirable services and would do so under a notably economical fare structure. This would offer relief from a state of affairs in which this route is badly underserved by air transport services, and in particular air transport at the economical rates Southwest is in a position to offer.

The stimulus of vigorous competition, together wit h the relatively low fares that would be on offer for the traveling public through the entry of Sou thwest Airlines on this important route, would evidently redound greatly to the advantage of trav elers, business and pleasure passengers alike, seeking to use a D.C. – Houston service. The av ailability of low-cost se rvice, moreover, would significantly enlarge the volume of passengers (a n increase annually in aggregate passenger trips estimated by the airline to be in the range of tens of thousands – to be accommodated by use of relatively large, 143-passenger aircraft), with a be nefit to the flying community that would measure
some millions of dollars in welfare e nhancement to the national economy.

In view of the above we respectfully ask that th e Department of Transportation give favorable consideration to the request of Southwest Airlines with respect to the DCA slots being sought for the DCA - Houston Hobby route. We will be appreciative of your consideration.

Sincerely,

Ma. Cristina Caballero President/CEO

1629 K S TREET

, N.W., S UITE 300 W ASHINGTON

, D.C. 20006

Tel: [FfxVa] 703-631-0650 Fax: [FfxVa] 703- 631-0617 e-mail: dialog.div@prodigy.net www.dial ogueondiversity.org Dialogue on Diversity is a 501(c )(3) Organization. Cont ributions are tax-deductibleDecember 13, 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 No. DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

On behalf of OCA, a national membership driven civil rights organization representing all Asian Pacific Americans in the United States, headquartered in Washington, DC, it is my pleasure to express our support of Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application to begin daily nonstop serv ice between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby).

Southwest has not only been an important part of the Greater Houston community for over 40 years but a strong supporter of our constituencies made up of 80 chapters and affiliates across the count ry

. Southwest continues to grow in Houston, and now operates over 140 daily departures at Hobby to over three dozen cities throughout the United States. This increased capacity in Houston is particularly of interest to our constituency since Houston has a very robust APA population including OCA advocates.

DCA is one of the few major airports not served directly by Southwest from Hobby. In fact, no airline flies directly between DCA and Hobby. It is long overdue for Houston’s downtown airport and Washington, DC’s downtown airport to be linked with daily nonstop air service. Through new DCA -Houston service, Southwest proposes to attract tens-of-thousands of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually in the DCA-Houston market. Moreover, these expansions provide more access to
lower fares to our cost conscious constituencies some of whom have had to make tremendous financial sacrifices to survive the recession in the last four years. Air travel in the 21 st century is no longer a luxury. It is very much a necessity, yet it is often very expensive. While our country continues to struggle through a lackluster economy, incurring additional costs due to limited choices in accessing air travel will continue to significantly impact individuals as well as businesses alike. Given that our members from all across the country also fly Southwest on OCA and non-OCA travel, the additional lines will better serve our constituents.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest’s application. As one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the United States, Greater Houston is deserving of more affordable and frequent access to/from the Nation’s Capital. Thank you for your consideration of this
request.

Sincerely,

Ken Lee
President

### December 7, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket No. DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

In the interest of promoting airline competition, affordable airfares and greater access between

the Nation ’s Capital and Greater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation approve Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to use these slot exemption to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today, there is no scheduled air service between DCA and Hobby.

Southwest is the official airline of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the nation. JACL represents over 10,000

members. As the Nation’s largest low -cost airline, Southwest is well suited to provide significant consumer benefits in this important market. Since 1971, Southwest has a proven track record of lowering ticket prices and stimulating more passenger traffic in the markets it enters. Business and leisure travelers, and our members and staff, stand to benefit if Southwest is able to bring low-fare competition to the Houston-DCA market.

I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwest’s application for two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Priscilla A. Ouchida
Executive Director Japanese American Citizens League



# J APANESE 

# A MERICAN 

# C ITIZENS 

# L EAGUE

Headquarters: 1765 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 DC Office: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 212  Washington, DC  2000 6

Phone: (202) 223

- 1240  E

- mail: pouchida@jacl.orgDecember 11, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket No. DOT-OST- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

In the interest of promoting airline competition, affordable airfares and greater access between the Nation’s Capital and Greater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest Airlines’ (Southwest’s) application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Southwest proposes to use these slot exemption to begin daily nonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today, there is no scheduled air service between DCA and Hobby.

The Houston-DCA market is und erserved and overpriced. As the Nation’s largest low -cost airline, Southwest is well suited to provide significant consumer benefits in this important market. Since 1971, Southwest Airlines has a proven track record of lowering ticket prices and stimulating more passenger traffic in the markets it enters. Their low cost fares benefit our 10,000 members and stakeholders who fly to Washington, D.C. to lobby on behalf of older Americans and their families.

Through new competition, lower airfares, and the use of a 143- seat aircraft, Southwest’s proposed service is projected to attract tens- of -thousands of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually in the DCA-Houston market. Business and leisure travelers stand to benefit if Southwest is able to bring low-fare competition to the Houston-DCA market. Again, we respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwest’s application for two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Robert G. Stein Carole A. Anderson

President & CEO Vice President of Education
American Society on Aging American Society on Aging
71 Stevenson Street, Suite 1450 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco, CA 94105- 2938 San Francisco, CA 94105- 2938

ABOUT ASA: Founded in 1954 , the American Society on Aging is an association of diverse individuals bound by a common goal: to support the commitment and enhance the knowledge and skills of those who seek to improve the quality of life of older adults and their families. The membership of ASA is a multidisciplinary array of professionals who are concerned with the physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual aspects of aging. Members include practitioners, educators, administrators, policymakers, business people, researchers, students, and many others. No other organization in the field of aging represents the diversity of settings and professional disciplines reached by ASA.Certifying LGBT Businesses. Connecting Our Communities.

729 15TH STREET NW, 9TH FL, WASHINGTON, DC 20005 P 202.234.9181 F 202.234.9185 

### nglcc.org December 18 , 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Re: Docket No. DOT

- OST

- 2000

- 7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

On behalf of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), we write in strong support of Southwest Airlines' application for two slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
South west proposes to begin daily nonstop service between Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby) and Washington DC's only downtown airport.

As a national organization representing the LGBT business community, many of our members and partners are
located in Houston and frequently fly to Washington, DC. Today, nonstop access to DCA is limited to service from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), located 22 miles north from downtown Houston. From IAH, only one airline serves the Houston

- DCA market.

With its applic ation, Southwest proposes to operate a new nonstop flight between DCA and Hobby, which is situated 12 miles south of downtown Houston. A nonstop Hobby

- DCA flight will not only be convenient for our members and partners , it will create much needed competit ion in this important market and, with it, lower average ticket prices and improved service options for Houston

- based travelers.

Southwest has served Houston for over 41 years and is a strong partner in the LGBT business community. Undoubtedly, a Southwest

- operated Hobby

- DCA flight will create significant consumer benefits for Grea ter Houston. For this reason, we respectfully ask the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest's application.

Thank you, in advanc e, for your consideration of the NGLCC’s views in this important matter.

Sincerely

,

Justin G. Nelson Chance Mitchell

Co

- Founder and President Co

- Founder and CEO

## WINSTEAD Austin Charlotte Dallas Fort Worth Houston San Antonio The Woodlands Washington, D.C.

A 1

1100 WMargan Chase Tower 713.650.8400 OFFICE

600 Travis Street 713.650.2400 FAX

Houston, Texas 77002 winstead.com



### December 13, 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 No. DOT-OST-2000-7182

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I write in strong support of Southwest Airlines' (Southwest's) application to begin daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby).

Southwest has been an important part of the Greater Houston community for over 40 years. Southwest continues to grow in Houston, and now operates over 140 daily departures at Hobby to over three dozen cities throughout the United States.

DCA is one of the few major airports not served directly by Southwest from Hobby. In fact, no airline flies directly between DCA and Hobby. It is long overdue for Houston's downtown airport and Washington, DC's downtown airport to be linked with daily nonstopair service. Through new DCA-Houston service, Southwest proposes to attract tens-ofthousand of new passengers and generate millions of dollars of consumer benefits annually
in the DCA-Houston market.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest's application. As one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the United States, Greater Houston is deserving of more affordable and frequent access to/from the Nation's Capital. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

(Th 

### Since

Denis Clive Braham
Chairman Emeritus

WINSTEAD PC ATTORNEYS