DOT 170-08
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
US Airways Selected for New Daily Flight From Reagan Washington National Airport
To Akron/Canton, OH
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today announced that the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded US Airways the right to begin a
new daily round trip between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and
Akron/Canton, Ohio that will provide the state’s communities with their only
nonstop service to Washington.
“Travelers from Akron and Canton now will enjoy convenient nonstop air service
to Washington, D.C.,” Secretary Peters said.
DOT awarded US Airways exemptions to the slot limits which govern takeoffs and
landings at Reagan National and said the carrier must begin the new service by
Jan. 25. The re-allocated slots were made available when AirTran Airways ceased
service between Milwaukee and Reagan National on Sept. 3.
In addition to US Airways, the Department also received an application from
Midwest Airlines to use the authority as part of its existing
Washington-Milwaukee service.
To promote airline competition and enhance air service to the nation’s capital,
Congress, through the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the
21st Century (AIR-21) and the Vision 100 – Century of Flight Aviation
Authorization Act, created exemptions to the slot limitations at Reagan
National. One slot exemption permits one daily takeoff or landing; thus, two
slot exemptions are required for a single daily round trip. Based on governing
statutes, these slot exemptions could be used only for service within the
1,250-mile perimeter at Reagan National.
In order to increase competition at Reagan National in the future, the term of
the award will be up for review before the Department in two years at which
point DOT could decide to reallocate US Airways’ authority upon 120 days’
notice.
The Department’s decision, carrier applications and other documents regarding
the proceeding may be obtained on the Internet at
www.regulations.gov, docket number
DOT-OST-2000-7182.
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