ATA Airlines, Inc.

OST-04-17377 - Exemption - Chicago Midway-Cozumel

March 19, 2004

Application for Exemption

ATA plans to commence nonstop weekly scheduled flights between Chicago and Cozumel on November 6, 2004. Flights are tentatively planned to operate on Saturdays only. All operations will be conducted with B737‑800 aircraft.

ATA is the tenth largest passenger air carrier in the United States. ATA operates a fleet of 65 aircraft consisting of B757, B737 and L-1011 aircraft. It currently operates scheduled service flights, serving primarily Indianapolis, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Dallas/Ft. Worth, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and several cities in Florida, and is the largest charter operator in the United States. ATA already operates charter service to Cozumel from Chicago (Midway) and has the infrastructure established in Cozumel to assist and process passengers arriving from the United States.

Counsel: ATA, Brian Hunt, 317-282-7006

OST-04-17377 - Exemption - Chicago Midway-Cozumel

April 5, 2004

Answer of United Air Lines

United has today filed an application for exemption authority to offer services between Chicago and Cozumel. United will operate services from its hub at O'Hare International Airport. United has no objection to the application of ATA in this docket so long as its grant does not preclude the grant of United's application for an exemption to provide Chicago-Cozumel service filed today. United urges that both applications be granted contemporaneously to allow both carriers a fair and equal opportunity to start marketing their competing services at the same time.

Counsel: United and Wilmer Cutler, Jeffrey Manley, 202-663-6670, jeffrey.manley@wilmer.com

OST-04-17377 - Exemption - Chicago Midway-Cozumel

April 5, 2004

Answer of The City of Chicago in Support of ATA Airlines

Currently, no non-stop scheduled service exists between Chicago and Cozumel, Mexico. While limited charter flights serve Cozumel from Chicago, scheduled service between Chicago and Mexico is clearly needed. Because of Chicago's strategic position in the center of the United States, scheduled service to Cozumel, Mexico represents a significant opportunity for expansion into the Mexican Caribbean region from the Midwest.

The Chicago Airport System depends upon convenient and affordable international air transportation to important international gateways to attract economic development to the greater Chicago region. ATA's proposed service will provide Chicago area residents with access to new and important business and tourism opportunities in the global marketplace, fostering economic benefits for Chicago and the Midwest.

Counsel: Pillsbury Winthrop, Jennifer Trock, 202-775-9879, jtrock@pillsburywinthrop.com

OST-04-17377 - Chicago Midway-Cozumel

April 6, 2004

Re: Application of ATA Airlines for Exemption Authority

This letter is to confirm that the answer period for the above-referenced Application has expired and no objections have been filed. The only parties to respond were United Airlines, Inc. and the City of Chicago In United’s Answer filed on April 5, United stated it had "no objection to the Application of ATA in this docket so long as its grant does not preclude the grant of United’s Application for an exemption to provide Chicago [O’Hare]-Cozumel service. . . ." The Answer of the City of Chicago, also Filed on April 5 to support ATA’s Application, "encourages the Department to act promptly and favorably upon ATA’s request for an exemption. . . ." Accordingly, ATA respectfully requests that the Department expeditiously approve the above-referenced Application.

By: Brian Hunt

OST-04-17377 - Chicago (Midway)-Cozumel

Filed March 19, 2004 | Issued April 20, 2004

Notice of Action Taken | Word

Scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between Chicago (Midway), Illinois, and Cozumel, Mexico. ATA states that it plans to operate on Saturdays only, beginning November 6, 2004, with B737-800 aircraft.

By: Paul Gretch

OST-1999-6690 - Exemption - Los Angeles-Cancun
OST-2002-13645 - Exemption - San Francisco-Cancun
OST-2003-14527 - Exemption - Chicago (Midway)-Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
OST-2004-17377 - Exemption - Chicago (Midway)-Cozumel

January 3, 2006

Re: Termination of Service

In accordance with the requirements of Order 1988-10-2 and the conditions attached to the exemptions granted in the above-captioned dockets, ATA Airlines, Inc. hereby notifies the Department of Transportation that ATA has terminated service on each of the following routes and does not intend to resume service:

ATA has no objection to allocation of its designations to serve these routes to other U.S. carriers.

Counsel: Squire Sanders, Marshall Sinick, 202-626-6600