Southwest Airlines Co (61 Letters in Support) Part 3 of 3

7/27/2019 Southwest Airlines Co (61 Letters in Support) Part 3 of 3

1/30


2/30

Letters SupportingSouthwest Airlines Proposed DCA HOU ABQ Service

PART I (*sent via a separate submission)

Federal Officials

1.) Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senator John Cornyn2.) Texas Congressional Delegation Representatives Pete Olson, Gene

Green, Ted Poe, Charles Gonzalez, John Culberson, Sheila Jackson Lee,Michael McCaul, Blake Farenthold, Francisco Quico Canseco, MacThornberry, John Carter, Lamar Smith, Sam Johnson, Joe Barton, RandyNeugebauer, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Kay Granger, Bill Flores, MichaelBurgess, Louie Gohmert, Ruben Hinojosa, Henry Cuellar, MichaelConaway, 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 Pearceand Rep. Ben Ray Lujan

State Officials

4.) Texas Governor Rick Perry5.) Texas State Representative Garnet Coleman6.) Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis7.) Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner8.) Texas State Representative Harold V. Dutton, Jr.9.) Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson

10.) Texas State Representative Dr. Alma A. Allen11.) Texas State Representative Jessica Farrar12.) Texas State Representative Ana Hernandez Luna13.) New Mexico State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez14.) New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela

PART II (*sent via a separate submission)

Local Officials

15.) Houston Mayor Annise Parker16.) Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry17.) Houston Mayor Pro-Tem and Council Member Ed Gonzalez18.) Houston City Council Member Andrew C. Burks, Jr.19.) Houston City Council Member Jack Christie, D.C.20.) Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez21.) Houston City Council Member Melissa Noriega22.) Houston City Council Member Larry V. Green23.) Houston City Council Member Stephen C. Costello24.) Houston City Council Member Ellen R. Cohen25.) Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation, Houston Airports System


3/30

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

State/Regional Organizations

27.) Greater Houston Partnership

28.) Houston Area Urban League29.) Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce30.) Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce31.) Texas Travel Industry Association32.) Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce33.) Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership34.) Greater Hobby Area Chamber of Commerce35.) Houston East End Chamber of Commerce36.) Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce37.) Association of Commerce & Industry of New Mexico

PART III (*contained herein)

National Organizations

38.) Transportation Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 55639.) Southwest Airlines Pilots Association40.) International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (Dora

Cervantes, Assistant Secretary)41.) United States Hispanic Leadership Institute42.) VotoLatino43.) Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

44.) Council for Opportunity in Education45.) Latino Leaders Network46.) Earth Day Network47.) US Business Leadership Network48.) Dialogue on Diversity49.) Organization of Chinese Americans50.) Japanese American Citizens League51.) America Society on Aging52.) National Asian American Coalition53.) Asian American & Pacific Islander Association of Colleges & Universities54.) National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Major Companies/Institutions

55.) University of Texas System56.) George Washington University57.) BMC Software58.) Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I)59.) Blue Bell Creameries, L.P.60.) SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc.61.) Winstead, P.C.


4/30


5/30


6/30


7/30


8/30


9/30

431 S. Dearborn St.

Suite 1203

Chicago, IL 60605-1152Phone 312-427-8683 Fax 312-427-5183

December 12, 2012

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood

Secretary of TransportationU.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20590Re: Docket DOT-OST-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 respectfullyconvey my strong support for Southwest Airlines and its application for two slot exemptions at

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which Southwest would use to begin dailynonstop service between DCA and Houston Hobby Airport (Hobby). Today there is no scheduled

air service between DCA and Hobby.

USHLI is a member of a coalition of 30 national and regional policy advocacy organizationsrepresenting the Latino community and serving most of its 50 million people. Coalition members

utilize DCA frequently to meet our travel needs. And, as part of a 16-member association of

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

Basically the Houston-DCA market is underserved and overpriced. As the nations 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 more competition, lower airfares and the use of a 143-seat aircraft, Southwests proposed

service is projected to attract tens-of-thousands of new passengers and generate millions of dollars in

consumer benefits annually in the DCA-Houston market. And business and leisure travelers would

also benefit if Southwest is able to bring low-fare competition to the Houston-DCA market.

For these 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, JrPresident


10/30

December 12, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood

Secretary of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation1200 New J ersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20590

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


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 Nations Capital and

Greater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest Airlines(Southwests) 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 underserved and overpriced. As the Nations 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 competition, lower airfares, and the use of a 143-seat aircraft, Southwests 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 ifSouthwest is able to bring low-fare competition to the Houston-DCA market.

Again, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwests application for

two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Maria Teresa Kumar

President


11/30


12/30


13/30


14/30


15/30


16/30

D 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

1 0 2 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

8 4 7 - 3 1 5 - 8 8 8 2 9 5 4 - 4 6 1 - 4 7 2 6

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

[email protected]

www.usbln.org

December 11, 2012

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood


U.S. Department of Transportation





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 optionsfor Houston-based travelers.

Southwest has served Houston for over 41 years and is a strong partner in our community. Undoubtedly, a Southwest-

operated 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. HoughtonUSBLN

Board Chair USBLN

Executive Director
mailto:[email protected]://www.usbln.org/http://www.usbln.org/mailto:[email protected]


17/30

Over Twenty Years of Service to Americans Diverse Communities

December 15, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHoodSecretary of TransportationU.S. Department of Transportation1200 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 tohave been associated with Southwest Airlines for several years as a Community Partner. We haveutilized the companys excellent air services, moreover, for travel in connection with our

organizations work. It is our understanding that Southwest Airlines has requested permission forthe 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 anotably economical fare structure. This would offer relief from a state of affairs in which this routeis badly underserved by air transport services, and in particular air transport at the economical ratesSouthwest is in a position to offer.

The stimulus of vigorous competition, together with the relatively low fares that would be on offerfor the traveling public through the entry of Southwest Airlines on this important route, would

evidently redound greatly to the advantage of travelers, business and pleasure passengers alike,seeking to use a D.C. Houston service. The availability of low-cost service, moreover, wouldsignificantly enlarge the volume of passengers (an increase annually in aggregate passenger tripsestimated by the airline to be in the range of tens of thousands to be accommodated by use ofrelatively large, 143-passenger aircraft), with a benefit to the flying community that would measuresome millions of dollars in welfare enhancement to the national economy.

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

Sincerely,

Ma. Cristina CaballeroPresident/CEO

1629 K STREET,N.W., SUITE 300 WASHINGTON,D.C. 20006

Tel: [FfxVa] 703-631-0650 Fax: [FfxVa] 703- 631-0617 e-mail: [email protected] www.dialogueondiversity.org

Dialogue on Diversity is a 501(c)(3) Organization. Contributions are tax-deductible


18/30

December 13, 2012

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHoodSecretary of Transportation






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 (Southwests) application to begin daily nonstop service between RonaldReagan 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 country.

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 Houstons downtown airport and Washington,

DCs 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 21st

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 Southwests

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 Nations Capital. Thank you for your consideration of thisrequest.

Sincerely,

Ken LeePresident


19/30

December 7, 2012








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

the Nations Capital and Greater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of

Transportation approve Southwest Airlines (Southwests) 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 Nations 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 Southwests application for

two slot exemptions at DCA. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Priscilla A. OuchidaExecutive Director

Japanese American Citizens League

JAPANESEAMERICANCITIZENS LEAGUEHeadquarters: 1765 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115

DC Office: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 212 Washington, DC 20006Phone: (202) 223-1240 E-mail: [email protected]


20/30

December 11, 2012








In the interest of promoting airline competition, affordable airfares and greater access between the Nations Capitaland Greater Houston, I respectfully request the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest Airlines (Southwests)

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 underserved and overpriced. As the Nations 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, Southwests 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 theHouston-DCA market. Again, we respectfully request that the Department of Transportation approve Southwests 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.


21/30


22/30


23/30

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 LaHoodSecretary of TransportationU.S. Department of Transportation1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.




On behalf of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), we write in strong support ofSouthwest 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 WashingtonDC's only downtown airport.

As a national organization representing the LGBT business community, many of our members and partners arelocated in Houston and frequently fly to Washington, DC. Today, nonstop access to DCA is limited to servicefrom 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 ourmembers and partners, it will create much needed competition in this important market and, with it, loweraverage 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 GreaterHouston. For this reason, we respectfully ask the Department of Transportation to approve Southwest'sapplication.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration of the NGLCCs views in this important matter.

Sincerely,

Justin G. Nelson Chance Mitchell

Co-Founder and President Co-Founder and CEO


24/30


25/30


26/30


27/30


28/30


29/30


30/30

WINSTEAD Austinharlotteallasort Worthoustonan Antoniohe Woodlandsashington, D.C.A 1

1100 WMargan Chase Tower13.650.8400 OFFICE600 Travis Street13.650.2400 FAXHouston, Texas 77002instead.com

December 13, 2012The Honorable Raymond H. LaHoodSecretary of Transpo rtationU.S. Department of Transportation1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.Washington, DC 20590


Dear Secretary LaHood:I write in strong support of S outhwes t Airlines' (Southw est's) application to be gin

daily nonstop service between Ronald Rea gan W ashington N ational Airport (DCA) andHouston Hob by Airport (Hobby).

Southwest has been an important part of the Greater Houston community for over 40years. Southwest continues to grow in Houston, and now operates over 140 dailydepartures at Hob by 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 D CA and H obby. It is long overdue for Houston'sdowntow n airport and Washington, DC 's downtown airport to be linked with daily nonstopair service. Through new DC A-Houston service, Southwest propose s to attract tens-of-thousand of new passengers and g enerate millions of dollars of consume r benefits annually

in the DCA-Houston market.For these reason s, I respectfully ask the Departme nt of Transportation to approveSouthwe st's application. As one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the UnitedStates, Greater Houston is deserving of mo re affordable and frequent access to/from theNation's Capital. Thank you for your con sideration of this request.

(ThSince

Denis Clive BrahamChairman E meritus

Documents

Southwest Airlines Co (61 Letters in Support) Part 3 of 3