BEFORE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. ) Support Letters of ) ) AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. ) ) Docket DOT-OST )

Transcription

1 BEFORE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. ) Support Letters of ) ) AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. ) ) Docket DOT-OST ) SUPPORT LETTERS OF AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CUBA Communications with respect to this document should be addressed to: Howard Kass Vice President Regulatory Affairs Robert A. Wirick Managing Director Regulatory and International Affairs John B. Williams Senior Analyst Regulatory and International Affairs AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC th Street, NW Washington, D.C (202) howard.kass@aa.com robert.wirick@aa.com john.b.williams@aa.com March 15, 2016 Paul T. Denis Steven G. Bradbury William B. Sohn DECHERT LLP 1900 K Street NW Washington, D.C (202) paul.denis@dechert.com steven.bradbury@dechert.com william.sohn@dechert.com Charles A. Hunnicutt Brent Connor THOMPSON HINE LLP 1919 M Street NW, Suite 700 Washington, D.C (202) charles.hunnicutt@thompsonhine.com brent.connor@thompsonhine.com

2 JOHN B. WILLIAMS Senior Analyst Regulatory and International Affairs March 15, 2016 Docket DOT-OST (2016 U.S.-Cuba Frequency Allocation Proceedings) American Airlines, Inc. hereby files into Docket DOT-OST a tranche of letters from travel agencies across the United States supporting our proposed service between the U.S. and Cuba. Sincerely, John B. Williams Senior Analyst Regulatory and International Affairs American Airlines, Inc th Street, NW Washington, D.C john.b.williams@aa.com

3 INDEX 1. Kelly Noftsger, President Corporate Travel Management (Charlotte, North Carolina) 2. Paul R. Whitnah, President and General Manager M&M World Travel Service (Arlington, Texas) 3. Imer Vigil, General Manager Happy Tours Travel (Los Angeles, California) 4. Lucia H. Leonel, Owner and Manager South Winds Travel and Tours (Los Angeles, California) 5. Nelly Schmidt, Manager Intratours (Houston, Texas) 6. Todd Jones, President Exito Travel, Inc. (Fort Collins, Colorado) 7. Cesar A. Privat, President Americas Travel (San Francisco, California) 8. Joseph C. Sprotti, Manager Americas Travel (San Francisco, California) 9. Marcelo H. Diaz, Director of Marketing Americas Travel (San Francisco, California) 10. Linda Hermann, Corporate Travel Bunzl Distribution / Bunzl Travel (St. Louis, Missouri) 11. Paul Glenn, President and Chief Operating Officer Executive Travel (Lincoln, Nebraska) 12. Ivonne Lamadriz, Owner Fomento Travel the World (San Juan, Puerto Rico) 13. Madrid Travel (San Juan, Puerto Rico) 14. Susan Amengual, President Millenium Travel (San Juan, Puerto Rico) 15. José D. Targa, President Condado Travel, Inc. (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

4 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent Corporate Travel Management, a corporate & leisure travel agency. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami- Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los Angeles, to Cuba. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled

5 service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our clients but will best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Kelly Noftsger President Corporate Travel Management, Inc. Direct: Reservations: kellyn@goctm.com 5601 Seventy-Seven Center Drive, Suite 140 Charlotte, NC

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8 Imer Vigil General Manager Happy Tours Travel 2216 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles CA The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent, Happy Tours Travel, a travel agency that has been in nosiness since 1984 We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. It is crucial that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. American Airlines proposed service from LAX will help accomplish this objective. The Los Angeles area is home to the nation s fourth-largest Cuban American population, and American Airlines already serves the Los Angeles community with a weekly charter flight to Havana. The demand for service from Los Angeles to Havana is proven. Converting this weekly charter flight to a scheduled frequency will not only greatly benefit the Los Angeles community; it will connect dozens of airports with Cuba via one-stop service at LAX on American Airlines network. Many of these connections will not be duplicative of the connections made possible by American Airlines proposed service from MIA. Nonstop service from LAX will be an important complement to American Airlines proposed service from MIA. We also support American Airlines proposal because of its unrivaled commitment to Cuba, as shown by its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited

9 aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our customers, but will best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Imer Vigil General Manager Happy Tours Travel 2216 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles CA 90006

10 SOUTH WINDS TRAVEL AND TOURS 8326 Fordham Rd. Los Angeles, CA March 07, 2016 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent South Winds Travel and Tours, a travel company specialized in tours to South and Central America for over 25 years. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami- Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los Angeles, to Cuba. American

11 Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our constituents/members/customers and our state s economy, but will best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Lucia H Leonel Owner/Manager South Winds Travel and Tours

12 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent Intratours. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami- Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los Angeles, to Cuba. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our customers and our state s economy, but will best serve

13 the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Intratours NELLY SCHMIDT Manager 800 Wilcrest Rd. Ste. 212 HOUSTON TX Tel: ext 104 Fax:

14 108 Rutgers Avenue Fort Collins, CO The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent Exito Travel, Inc. a Colorado company specializing in arranging airfare to destinations throughout Latin America. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami- Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los Angeles, to Cuba. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our company and our Colorado s economy, but will Worldwide: Toll Free: Fax:

15 best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Todd Jones President Exito Travel, Inc. Exito&Travel& &Page&2&

16 AMERICAS TRAVEL Numero Uno to Latin America! March 8, 2016 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent Americas Travel San Francisco. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los Angeles, to Cuba. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our clients, but will best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Cesar A. Privat Cesar A. Privat President Latin Americas Travel, Inc., dba Americas Travel CAP/js 348 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA Fon: Fax:

17 AMERICAS TRAVEL Numero Uno to Latin America! March 8, 2016 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent Latin Americas Travel, Inc., dba AMERICAS TRAVEL. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los Angeles, to Cuba. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our clients, but will best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Joseph C. Sprotti Joseph C. Sprotti Manager Latin Americas Travel, Inc., dba AMERICAS TRAVEL JCS/me 348 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA Fon: Fax:

18 AMERICAS TRAVEL Numero Uno to Latin America! March 7, 2016 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent Americas Travel San Francisco. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los Angeles, to Cuba. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our clients, but will best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Marcelo H. Diaz Director of Marketing Americas Travel MHD/js 348 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA Fon: Fax:

19 Corporate Travel One CityPlace Drive Suite 200 St. Louis, MO Tel: The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent Bunzl Distribution. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los

20 Angeles, to Cuba. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our company and customers but will best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba. Sincerely, Linda Hermann Bunzl Travel

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22 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Re: Application of American Airlines in the Cuba Route Allocation Proceeding, Docket DOT-OST Dear Secretary Foxx: I represent Fomento Travel The World. We write in support of American Airlines application to begin nonstop scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba. Scheduled air service will play a key role in the process of normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations, and we commend the U.S. Government for this historic Agreement. The service proposed by American Airlines, we believe, will best foster cultural and economic ties between the United States and Cuba within the structure of the existing sanctions. We believe that the first flights authorized by the Department should be concentrated in Miami- Dade County, Florida, where nearly half of the U.S. Cuban-American population resides, many of whom still have family in Cuba. Local demand for travel to Cuba, coupled with American Airlines ability to connect several dozen U.S. cities with Cuba via MIA, make MIA the optimal base for scheduled service to Cuba. In fact, MIA already serves this role for Cuba-bound charter flights. Charter service providers can choose to fly to Cuba from a number of airports, yet MIA is the overwhelming favorite. American Airlines proposed service from its other hubs Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Chicago O Hare will ensure that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses, and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba. Resumption of scheduled air service will enhance new business and cultural opportunities for citizens of both countries. American Airlines commitment to Cuba is unrivaled based on its quarter-century of flying charter flights to Cuba. In fact, in 2015 American Airlines operated nearly 1,100 charter flights from points in the United States, including from MIA and Los Angeles, to Cuba. American Airlines experience in flying to Cuba will also prove invaluable in operating reliable scheduled service to Cuba. We are confident that American Airlines knows best how to handle Cuba s limited aviation infrastructure and any issues that may arise on the ground or with the country s aviation authorities. For these reasons, American Airlines proposal for nonstop scheduled service between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit our customers and our state s economy, but will best serve the Department s goals in this proceeding. We therefore urge you to approve American Airlines proposed scheduled service to Cuba.

23 Sincerely, Ivonne Lamadriz Owner Fomento Travel The World

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30 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that, on March 15, 2016, I caused to be served a copy of the foregoing Support Letters of American Airlines, Inc. for Newly Available Frequencies between the United States and Cuba, by upon those addressees listed below: brian.hedberg@dot.gov (Dept. of Transportation) todd.homan@dot.gov (Dept. of Transportation) peter.irvine@dot.gov (Dept. of Transportation) brett.kruger@dot.gov (Dept. of Transportation) dan.weiss@united.com (United) steve.morrissey@united.com (United) gmurphy@crowell.com (Counsel for United) mwarren@crowell.com (Counsel for United) sseiden@crowell.com (Counsel for United) robert.land@jetblue.com (JetBlue) esahr@eckertseamans.com (Counsel for JetBlue) dderco@eckertseamans.com (Counsel for JetBlue) perkmann@cooley.com (Counsel for Hawaiian) john.varley@virginamerica.com (Virgin America) mlbenge@zsrlaw.com (Counsel for Virgin America) jhfoglia@zsrlaw.com (Counsel for Virgin America) megan.ouellette@alaskaair.com (Alaska) john.kirby@alaskaair.com (Alaska) jeremy.ross@alaskaair.com (Alaska) dheffernan@cozen.com (Counsel for Alaska) rwelford@cozen.com (Counsel for Alaska) jyoung@yklaw.com (Counsel for Spirit) dkirstein@yklaw.com (Counsel for Spirit) john.fredericksen@suncountry.com (Sun Country) thomas.ting@suncountry.com (Sun Country) matwood@cozen.com (Counsel) slachter@cozen.com (Counsel) rpommer@atlasair.com (Atlas) anita.mosner@hklaw.com (Counsel for UPS) jennifer.nowak@hklaw.com (Counsel for UPS) kevin.montgomery@polaraircargo.com (Polar) matthew.danaher@cityofchicago.org (ORD) englets@state.gov (Dept. of State) cristinasa@state.gov (Dept. of State) sami.teittinen@silverairways.com (Silver) bryan.winters@silverairways.com (Silver) john@mietuslaw.com (Counsel for Eastern) chris.walker@delta.com (Delta) alex.krulic@delta.com (Delta) bob.kneisley@wnco.com (Southwest) leslie.abbott@wnco.com (Southwest) howard.diamond@flyfrontier.com (Frontier) foont@foontlaw.com (Counsel for Frontier) jmaddux@ggh-airlaw.com (Counsel for Dynamic) cefelts@fedex.com (FedEx) nssparks@fedex.com (FedEx) jackerman@dfwairport.com (DFW) bdcagle@cltairport.com (CLT) dflint@lawa.org (LAWA) kpyatt@miami-airport.com (MIA) mgoldman@sgbdc.com info@airlineinfo.com John B. Williams