OST-2003-14308 - AirTran - Baltimore-Grand Bahama Island

OST-2003-14308

http://www.airtran.com/

AirTran Airways, Inc.

OST-2003-14308 - Exemption - Baltimore-Grand Bahama Island	January 17, 2003	Application for an Emergency Exemption	Baltimore-Grand Bahama Island
		Service List

AirTran Airways will initially operate daily non-stop services between Baltimore and Grand Bahama Island (Freeport) beginning March 4, 2003 using B-717200 aircraft configured at 117 seats. The daily non-stops will depart BaltimoreWashington International Airport (BWI) at 1505 hours, arriving Freeport at 1735 hours. In the northbound direction, the daily non-stops will depart Freeport at 1155 hours, arriving at BWI at 1425 hours. Block times for the flights will thus be 2 hours, 30 minutes. Additionally, AirTran Airways has provided daily non-stop services with B-717-200 aircraft between Atlanta and Freeport under exemption authority beginning in December of 2000. See Notices of Action Taken in Docket OST-2000-8052. No U.S. or foreign air carrier currently provides non-stop services between Baltimore and Freeport.

The new flights will respond to a need for non-stop services between Baltimore, a major commercial and financial center, and The Bahamas. Moreover, these new flights will be timed to connect with AirTran Airways' Boston and Rochester flights at BWI, providing important new on-line services for the traveling public. Neither Boston nor Rochester currently has non-stop or direct services to Freeport.

Counsel: Wiley Rein, Bert Fein, 202-719-7045

OST-2003-14308 - Exemption - Baltimore-Grand Bahama Island

January 22, 2003

Re: Polling Letter

Exemption - Baltimore-Freeport, Bahamas

This is to certify that the undersigned has polled all air carriers on the Service List to the above application (specifically, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and US Airways) and has been advised by counsel or other authorised representative that they have no objection to grant the Application and that they do not intend to submit answers. If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Counsel: Wiley Rein

OST-2003-14308 - Exemption - Baltimore-Grand Bahama Island	January 23, 2003 Docketed January 24, 2003	Answer of State of Maryland	Baltimore-Grand Bahamas Island
		Service List

Maryland respectfully submits that AirTran's application is consistent with the public interest and should be granted for the following reasons. First, approval of the application would bring the first daily non-stop scheduled service to the BWI-Freeport market. Second, the proposed services would greatly benefit passengers and shippers in this market. Specifically, U.S. travelers, the Baltimore community, and the greater Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area would all benefit from the proposed services. The proposed services would also benefit passengers connecting at BWI on flights to other U.S. cities, such as AirTran's flights to Boston and Rochester. Third, the proposed services would create more opportunities for expanded tourism, international trade and business, and jobs for Maryland.

Counsel: Preston Gates, Jonathan Blank, 202 628-1700

OST-2003-14308 - Exemption - Baltimore-Grand Bahama Island

Filed January 14, 2003
Issued January 28, 2003

Notice of Action Taken

Baltimore-Grand Bahamas Island

Scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between Baltimore, Maryland and Grand Bahama Island (Freeport), the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

By: Paul Gretch

January 3, 2005

Application for Renewal of Exemption

AirTran Airways, Inc., under 49 USC 40109, hereby applies for renewal of exemption authority to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail between Baltimore, Maryland and Grand Bahama Island (Freeport), the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

AirTran Airways has successfully provided daily or 4-times weekly (adjusted seasonally) round trip flights between Baltimore and Freeport using modem B-717 aircraft and will continue with this pattern of services. AirTran Airways' on-line connections at Baltimore offer the traveling public many choices for low-fare service to and from the Bahamas.

Counsel: Wiley Rein, Bert Rein, 202-719-7000

Filed January 3, 2005 | Issued November 14, 2007

Notice of Action Taken | Word

Renewal of scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between Baltimore, Maryland and Grand Bahama Island (Freeport), the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

AirTran Airways’ renewal application was not timely filed under the terms of 14 CFR 377.10(c). In the circumstances presented, including the absence of opposition to AirTran Airways’ application, we will grant the carrier a waiver of the advance filing requirement.

By: Paul Gretch