OST-97-2985 / OST-97-2368 / Simmons Airlines / Trans States Airlines / High Density Rule Chicago O'Hare / Response of Simmons / December 19, 1997

 

Applications of

SIMMONS AIRLINES, INC. d/b/a AMERICAN EAGLE

TRANS STATES AIRLINES, INC.

for an exemption from 14 CFR Part 93, Subparts K and S. pursuant to 49 USC 41714

 

RESPONSE OF SIMMONS AIRLINES, INC. d/b/a

AMERICAN EAGLE TO ORDER 97-12-9

 

Simmons Airlines, Inc. d/b/a American Eagle hereby responds to Order 97-12-9, December 5, 1997, which requests each applicant to provide the following additional information for each regional jet aircraft it contemplates using under its slot exemption proposal:

"(1) the category of aircraft order, i.e., whether firm or on option; (2) the scheduled delivery date of each such aircraft and whether that date is definite or yet to be determined; t3) the city-pairs to be served with each delivered aircraft; and (4) the proposed date for the start of service in those city-pairs. This information is to be provided only for the aircraft to be used for the slot exemption services proposed by the applicants."

 

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(1) Category of Aircraft Order

AMR Eagle has a firm order for the delivery of 42 Embraer 145 regional jet aircraft (each with a configured capacity of 50 seats).

(2) Scheduled Delivery Dates

The first two aircraft will be delivered by March 1, 1998, and two aircraft will be delivered in April 1998. Beginning in May 1998, two aircraft will be delivered each month for a period of 19 months.

(3) City-Pairs to be Served;

(4) Proposed Start-Up Dates

Chicago O'Hare-Chattanooga - June 15, 1998

Chicago O'Hare-Charleston - July 1, 1998

Chicago O'Hare-Duluth - July 15, 1998

Chicago O'Hare-Springfield - August 1, 1998

Chicago O'Hare-Montgomery - August 15, 1998

Chicago O'Hare-Shreveport - September 1, 1998

Chicago O'Hare-Roanoke - September 15, 1998

Chicago O'Hare-Wilkes/Barre-Scranton - October 1, 1998

Chicago O'Hare-Fayetteville - When new airport opens in late 1998

 

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In its application submitted on October 9, 1997, Simmons also proposed regional jet service between Chicago O'Hare and New Haven. The feasibility of operating jet aircraft at the New Haven airport is currently under review. Pending completion of that review, Simmons is not proposing a start-up date for New Haven.

The start-up schedule shown above assumes that the Department will act on Simmons' slot exemption application by February 24, 1998, which reflects the 120-day deadline established by the DOT Appropriations Act for FY 1998, enacted on October 27, 1997 (Public Law 105-66, Section 345).

 

Respectfully submitted,

CARL B. NELSON, JR.

Associate General Counsel

American Airlines, Inc.

December 19, l9g7