### u.s.Departmentof Transportation Assistant Secretary 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Office01theSecretary ofTransportation


## OCT 

## 252010 , "

Mr. Peter and Mrs. Melissa deLisser 612 Indian Beach Lane**'..-~'\** "( . - . 

## };>

# ';$iB~' :;:::



### .'**'~)** ? Sarasota, FL 34234 ,,-- Dear Mr. and Mrs. deLisser: Thank you for your letter to Secretary LaHood supporting AirTran Airways, Inc. (AirTran) to serve Sarasota, Florida, in the ongoing slot-exemption proceeding at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The Secretaryhas asked that Irespond to your letterdirectly. As you know, the U.S. Department ofTransportation commenced a proceeding on August 30 to reallocate two DCA slot exemptions that are currentlybeing used by Republic Airline, Inc. (Republic). Republic has been using these two slot exemptions for DCA

- Kansas City service. These slot exemptions may be used to serve any medium hub or smaller airport within the 1,250-mileperimeterofDCA. We have received a total offive proposals, briefly outlined below:

• Sun Countryto serve Lansing, Michigan, with 129- or 162-seat aircraft; • Republic Airline, Inc., branded as Frontier Airlines, to continue to serve Kansas City, Missouri, with 99-seatregionaljet aircraft; • Southwest Airlines Co., to serve Kansas City utilizing 137-seat aircraft; • US Airways, Inc., to serve Pensacola, Florida, utilizing 76- or 86-seatregionaljet aircraft, depending on the season; and • Air Tran Airways, Inc., to serve either Fort Myers or Sarasota, Florida, utilizing either 117- or 137-seat aircraft. As the slot exemption proceeding is competitive and is currently under review by the Department, I am sure you understand that Icannot comment on the merits ofthe proposals. I assure you, however, that the Department will fully consider all ofthe proposals, and make its award based on the selection criteria detailed in the governing statutes.Mr. Peter and Mrs. Melissa deLisser Page :2

As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and my response in Docket DOT-OST-2000-7182 as a contact outside the record ofthis proceeding. I appreciate your interest in obtaining access to the Nation's capital. IfI can provide further information or assistance. please feel free to call me.

Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

### The Honorable Ray H.LaHood Secretary ofTransportation U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590 RE: Docket OST-2000-7182 Dear Secretary LaHood: SI(I-I () I(I \5-()(),2



### This letterexpresses support forthe application ofAirTran Airways Inc. for two available Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) slots being allocated in Docket OST-2000-7182 to provide nonstop service from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) to DCA. The Sarasota Bradenton area has only one daily nonstop on a regional jet to Washington, DC, even though it is the sixth largest destination market from this area. With over 750,000 residents and our prime location as a leisure destination for tourists, SRQ can certainly support additional service. We ask that the slots be awarded to AirTran for utilization to SRQ. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

# ~**~j;;('~~** Peterand Melissa deLisser 612 Indian Beach Lane Sarasota, FL 34234