THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Maria Cantwell 

United States Senate 

Washingto11, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Cantwell: 

April 24, 2012 

(.''i; 7 L 1 L 

Thank you for your letter~ cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc .• for two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska~s application proposes to serve Portland 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Refo.m1 Aet of 2012, the 

U.S .. Department<>fTransportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would suppo11 four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska~s application. which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely appl.ications were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vattcouver~ British Columbia; Ft'antier 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 San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to 

San Francisco. 

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

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

fair consideration and wi.ll be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

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

allows a.ll interested parties the opportunity Following ow· normal pra.ctice, I am 

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

A similar response has been sent 

matter. 

your interest in this 

q. ')C t• .r"~ ../ 
The Honorable Patty Murray 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Murray: 

THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

April 24, 2012 

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

of Alaska Airlines, Inc., fo1· two beyond~perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of20 12, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application~ which also proposes one daily mund trip to San Diego, on 

Mamh 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columb1a; 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 San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Airlines. one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to 

San Francisco. 

As the tnatter is still pending, 1 cannot comment on the merits of the points taised 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. 

The Department's action on this matter is being adMinistered through a public docket~ which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment. Following Otlf normal practice, l am 

placing a copy of your letter and this respm · docket number DOT-20 12~0029. 

A similar msponse has been sent r interest in this 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Norm Dicks 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Dicks; 

April 24, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congt·essiottal cnlleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc., for two beyond~perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA), Alaska's application proposes to. serve Portlf1nd 

Intema.tional Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Undet authority granted in the FAA Moderltization and Refonn Act of 2012, the 

U,S. Deprutment of Transportation will be awardipg to new entrat1t or limited incumbent 

carriers a to.t:ftl of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

Mareh 12. 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 ttip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one round 

trip to Austill, Texas; Southwest Aitliues, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Air.line::;, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round tdps to 

San Francisco, 

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

However, I can ass.ure you that all applications the Department received will be given full an:d 

fa1r consideration and will be evaluated ag;.inst the selection criteria: specified in the statute. 

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 resptm::;e has been sent er of your letter. I appre · e ytmr interest in this 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Jim McDermott 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman McDennott: 

April24, 2012 

Thank you for you1· letter, cosigned by yout congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, In-c., for two beyond~pe.rimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of20 12~ the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at·DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canad~ proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Fro11tier 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 San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc, two t·ound trips to 

San Francisco. 

As the matter is still pending~ 1 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 tbe statute. 

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

allows aU interested parties the opportunity . . Following our normal practice. I am 

placing a copy of your lettet and this respo ocket number DOT-2012- 29. 

A similar response has been st:mt to 

matter. 
THE SECRt=TARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Doc Hastings 

U.S, House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Hastings: 

April 24, 2012 

Thank you for your letter~ cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc., for two beyond·perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland 

International Airport with one round trip per day fi·om DCA 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carders a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

Mareh 12. Other timely applications were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines, oue t;ound trip to Colorado Springsat1d 

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 San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America. Inc., two round trips to 

San Francisco. 

As the matter is still pending, I can110t comment on the merits oftbe points raised in your letter. 

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

fair consideration and will be evaluated against the select,ion criteria specified in the statute. 

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

allows an 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 0029. 

A similar response has been se 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Adam Smith 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Smith: 

April 24, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the. application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc., for two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application. proposes to serve Portland 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, whieh would support four daily round trips. 

We reeeived Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other tit11ely applicatio1'1S were received from. Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Var1couver, British Columbia; Frontiet· Airlines, one round trip to Colorado Spdngs and 

beyond to Sar1 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 San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Aidines, one mund trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to 

San Francisco. 

As the matter is still pending~ 1 cannot cumment 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. 

The Department's action on this matter is being adn1inistered through a public docket, which 

allows all interested parties the opportunity to comment Following our not·mal practiee, I am. 

placing a copy of your letter and this respm1se ocket number DOT·20l2·0029. 

A similar response has been se.nt to. each your interest in this 

matter. 
The Honorable Jay lnslee 

THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

April 24., 2012 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Inslee: 

Thank you for your letter~ cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc., for two beyo.nd .. perimetel' slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airp011 (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA 

Under authority granted in the FAA Mode.mization and Refonn Act of 20 12! the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, wllich would support four daily round trip.s. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applicati.ons were received from Air Canada. proposing one rou11d trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbia; Frontier Airlines) one round trip to Colorad.o Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, Puerto Rieo, and one round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Airlines. one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to 

San Francisco. 

As the 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 wilt be evaluated against the selection criteria. specified in. the statute. 

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· ocket number DOT-2012-0029. 

A similar response has been sent to your interest in this 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Rick Larsen 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congress1nan Larsen: 

April 2.4, .2012 

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

of Alaska Airlines, Inc., for two beyond~perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 20 12, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applicatio.ns were received from Air Canada, proposing one round trip 

to Vancouver, British Columbht; Frontier Airline.<;, one round trip to Colorado Springs and 

beyond to San Diego; JetBlue Airlines, one round trip to San Juan, Puerto Ric(), and one round 

trip to Austin, Texasi Southwest Airlines~ one mmtd trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to 

San Francisco. 

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

the Department~s action on this matter i.s being admhtistered through a public docket, which 

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

placing a copy of your l.etter and this i.n docket number DOT-2012~0029. 

A similar response has bee11 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Cathy McMorris Rodgers 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Rodgers: 

April 24, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the applicatim1 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc., for two beyond~perimeter slot e~emptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland 

International Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily rotmd trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. Other timely applications were received fron1 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 01:1e round 

trip to Austin, Texas; Southwest Airlines, one round trip to Austin and San Diego beyond; 

Sun Country Airlines, one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to 

San. Francisco. 

As the 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 cm1sideration and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

The Department's action on this matte.r is being administered through a public dock.et, which 

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

placing a copy of your letter and this re se in docket number DO'f ~2 029. 

A similar response has been 

matter. 
THE St:CRETAAY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Dave Reichert 

U.S. House. of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Reichert: 

April 24, 2012 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues. supporting the application 

of Alaska Airlines, Inc., for two beyond"petimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport {DCA). Alaska1s application proposes to serve Portland 

Inten1ational Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the 

U.S. Departtnent of Transportation will be awatding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. 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 San Diego beyond: 

Sun Country Airlines~ one round trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc;, two round tritys to 

San Francisco. 

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

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

fair consideration and will be evaluated against t11e selection criteria specified in the statute, 

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

allows. all interested parties the .opportuni comment. Following our normal practice~ I am 

placing a copy ofyotJr letter and this re e in docket number DOT-2012 .. 0029. 

A similar response has bee11 

matter. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Jamie Herrera Beutler 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Beutler: 

April 24, 2012 

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

of Alaska Airlines~ Inc., for two beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan 

Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska's application proposes to serve Portland 

Intemational Airport with one round trip per day from DCA. 

Under authority granted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2.0 12, the 

U.S. Departmetit ofTranspm1:ation will be awarding to new entrant or limited incumbent 

carriers a total of eight slot exemptions at DCA, which would support four daily round trips. 

We received Alaska's application, which also proposes one daily round trip to San Diego, on 

March 12. 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 San Diego beyond; 

Snn Conntry Airlines, one ronnd trip to Las Vegas; and Virgin America, Inc., two round trips to 

San Francisco. 

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

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

fair considerati.on and will be evaluated against the selection criteria specified in the statute. 

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 res in docket number DOT-20 29. 

A similar response has been 

matter. 
2023667346 

;."- ~-- 05:04:26 a.m. 04-06-1970 

ctongreSS' o( tbt 1tlniteb i>tatt~ l!taqtngton, iK 20510 

March 12, 2012 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenuet SE 

Washington. D.C. 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood, . 

The CongresSiOnal Deleiatron ofW&ShingWn would like to register ow: sttong ~port for Alaska Airlines' request to provide the first Portland, OR. {"PDX'')-Reasan 

Washington National Airport ("DCA") nonstop service. We understand that Alaska has 

applied for one of the four new limited incumbent car.rier DCA beyond-perimeter 

roundtrips authorized by the recently signed FAA Modemiz.tion and Reform Act 

Alaska has the largest hub presence of any curler at POX with over 625 weekly flights. 

This frequency assures Alaska has the necessary connecting traffic coupled with local 

PDX-DCA travelers to easily support one daily PDX-DCA frequency. We know ftom 

experience that Alaska's SEA-DCA nonstop service operates at high load factors (the 

company informs us that its average load factor for the 12 months ended October 2011 

was 91 %). Therefore, our residents would welcome the opportunity to have another 

convenient Pacific Northwest connecting option for 1ravel to DCA. 

Alaska Airlines enjoys the singular status of being the only network carrier not to have 

declared bankruptcy. The company's solid financial position. award-winning customer 

service, and strong operational performance will provide residents of Oreson and the 

Pacific Northwest sustained service to our nation's capital. 

We would be pleased to answer any questions you or your staff might have and do look 

forward to Alas1ca having the opportunity to initiate the first PDX-DCA nonstop service. 

Slncerel)" • A1 

~~. Maria CantWell 

United States Senator 

11~ll..h Norm Dicks 

Member of Congress 

n:,... 

1/2 

l 

I 

I 

i 

I 

I 

I 

i 

I 

' 
2023667346 .~.--..... · . ~· -.. - - -. 05:04:41 a.m. 04-06-1970 212 

.,t.Jt.~~ Rick Larsen 

Member of Congress 

~· Member of Congress 

~~~ fal!lieHCft.era Beutler 

Member of Congress 

s 1 0-120313-01)2