| Friends: The Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) has asked for public comment to determine whether or not to continue the “Essential Air Service” program in Ponca City. This program provides a public subsidy to well over 100 communities throughout the nation that otherwise would not be able to provide air service. Without this program, Mesa Airlines could not afford to provide service to Ponca City and we would not have commercial air service. We believe that it is vitally important to our economy to maintain and grow this service to a point where the federal subsidy is no longer needed. Representatives from the City, PCDA, the Chamber and the Airlines met yesterday with Senator Myers to develop a strategy to insure that the DOT does not suspend the program in Ponca City. Mesa Airlines informed us that there is a strong growth trend at Ponca City and they feel that they will be able to make the service sefl-sustaining if provided enough time. We respectfully request that you take a few moments to send a letter to the Department of Transportation, (the address is included on the attached sample letter) indicating your support for “Essential Air Service at Ponca City.” It is equally important to copy Congressmember Lucas and Senator Inhofe. Their addresses are included as well. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Mesa Airlines has a plan to continue to grow our commercial air service if we can convince the DOT that they have community support. Please give me a call at 580.765.7070 if you have any questions. David David Myers Executive Director Ponca City Development Authority America's Family Business Heartland 102 S. Fifth Street Ponca City, OK 74601 580.765.7070 (office) 580.765.0969 (fax) 580.761.9206 (cell) dmyers@goponca.com |
Mr. Dennis DeVany Chief of EAS & Domestic Analysis Documentary Services and Media Management Division, M-30, Room PL-401 U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 RE: ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE TO PONCA CITY, OKLAHOMA Dear Mr. DeVany: We would like to formally object to the proposed elimination of essential air service in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Maintaining commercial air service is critical to our local economy and the economy of North Central Oklahoma. Ponca City is not served by an interstate highway and commercial air service has provided the critical transportation linkage necessary for our community to actively engage in commerce in an ever more competitive global economy. We currently have a significant number of high value passengers that go between the markets of Enid, Dallas and Denver, connecting to business locations throughout the world and providing significant business opportunities for our area. In addition, the people who work at our airport and the services provided by airport businesses rely upon our commercial service as the economic generator for this important job center. Ponca City has worked hard to rebuild our economy since the ConocoPhillips merger two years ago. We have seen a growth of local jobs that would likely be severely curtailed if air service were to be terminated. Air service to Ponca City is indeed "essential" and the benefits go far beyond the number of passengers using the carrier. The ability to attract wealth producing companies depends upon the provision of air service. These businesses are vital to reshaping our economy in the wake of the merger and they rely upon the ability to travel quickly and affordably. In addition, Oklahoma State University, which is served by our airport, has identified commercial air service as a critical component for its growth and the growth of our regional economy. Our community is working with Mesa Airlines to build our customer base and the recent trends indicate that these efforts will be successful. We strongly urge you to consider these positive customer trends and the impact to our local and regional economy and keep essential air service in Ponca City. Thank you in advance for your attention to this urgent matter. |
| Mr. Dennis DeVany Chief of EAS & Domestic Analysis Documentary Services and Media Management Division, M-30, Room PL-401 U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 |
| The Honorable Frank D. Lucas United States House of Representatives 2342 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-3603 Phone-202-225-5565 Fax-202-225-8698 |
| The Honorable James Inhofe United States Senate 453 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-3603 Phone: 202-224-4721 Fax: 202-228-0380 |