PLEASE USE THIS DRAFT AS A GUIDE TO ASSIST CUSTOMIZING AND
PERSONALIZING YOUR COMPANY’S VERSION OF AN OPEN SKIES
SUPPORT LETTER
April 24, 2015
The Honorable John F. Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
The Honorable Anthony Foxx
Secretary of Transportation
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
The Honorable Penny S. Pritzker
Secretary of Commerce
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Re:
Request for comments on preserving Open Skies and
ensuring tourism-related air service trade
Docket No. DOS-2015-0016
Docket No. DOT-OST-2015-0082
Docket No. DOC-2015-0001
Dear Secretary Kerry, Secretary Foxx and Secretary Pritzker:
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the importance of longstanding Open
Skies policy to Central Florida's economy and tourism-related jobs in our
community. We believe it is imperative the Obama Administration's decision in
this matter is guided by the broader national economic interest, not the narrow
self-interest of a few companies.
Tourism is critical to Central Florida generating more than $60 Billion in
economic activity and supporting more than 390,000 jobs last year, 1/3 of all
jobs in Central Florida. We are one of more than 57 tourism-related attractions
that combine to make Central Florida the premier tourism destination in the
world. As such, our company and others like us depend on Orlando International
Airport as the air service gateway for our guests from around the globe. Simply
put, our interests and those of Orlando International are inextricably linked. A
wise policy like Open Skies that benefits Orlando International by creating
limitless new opportunities for direct and connecting international passengers to
conveniently visit Central Florida is a tremendous benefit to us and our
employees. Conversely, a short-sighted policy that restricts the access of
international travelers to Central Florida, such as the one being demanded in
this matter, harms Orlando International’s global connectivity and therefore
harms our company, our employees and limits opportunities to hire new workers.
The US's Open Skies policy, a hugely successful economic policy in addition to
being smart air service policy, has been indispensable to Orlando International's
success attracting non-stop air service from numerous destinations in Europe,
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. For instance, according to the US
National Travel Tourism Office (NTTO) visitors from Brazil have soared from
74,000 in 2004 to 768,000 in 2013 and grew exponentially after the US-Brazil Open
Skies agreement was signed.
Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines' demand that Emirates
Airline's new Orlando-Dubai non-stop flight, scheduled to start on September 1
and Central Florida's first non-stop air service link to the Middle East, be
prohibited is very troubling. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority estimates
this flight will produce more that $100 million in annual economic benefits for
Central Florida. The new air service trade bridge between Orlando, Dubai and
one-stop connecting destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia will
stimulate new tourism opportunities to visit Central Florida by making air travel
more convenient and increase competitive choice. None of the complaining
airlines are offering to provide non-stop Orlando-Dubai air service instead. In
fact, none of them offer any non-stop international flights to Central Florida.
Accordingly, if the Administration unwisely agrees with their narrow selfinterested demand, it could cost our local community $100 million in annual
commercial activity. Obviously, this would be contrary to the best interest of
Central Florida and harmful to our company.
We are counting on you to be guided by the broader national interest, not the
narrow interest of a few. We believe that focus will lead to the inescapable
conclusion that Open Skies policy has and continues to produce enormous economic
benefits for our country, and any attempt to limit or restrict existing Open
Skies rights is unwise and a policy detour neither Central Florida nor the US
economy can afford.
DRAFT - April 23, 2015 (Mayors)
The Honorable John F. Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
The Honorable Anthony Foxx
Secretary of Transportation
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
The Honorable Penny S. Pritzker
Secretary of Commerce
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Re:
Request for comments on preserving Open Skies and
ensuring tourism-related air service trade
Docket No. DOS-2015-0016
Docket No. DOT-OST-2015-0082
Docket No. DOC-2015-0001
Dear Secretary Kerry, Secretary Foxx and Secretary Pritzker:
As the Mayor of _____________, I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the
importance of longstanding Open Skies policy to Central Florida's economy and
tourism-related jobs in my community. It is imperative the Obama
Administration's decision in this matter is guided by the broader national
economic interest, not the narrow self-interest of a few companies.
Tourism is critical to Central Florida generating more than $___________ in
economic activity and supporting more than ________ jobs last year. _______, and
the constituents I serve, rely on tourism as an engine for economic activity. It
is critical to supporting and creating jobs in our community.
Given the importance of tourism, our interests and those of Orlando International
are inextricably linked. A wise policy like Open Skies that benefits Orlando
International by creating limitless new opportunities for direct and connecting
international passengers to conveniently visit Central Florida is a tremendous
benefit to us. Conversely, a short-sighted policy that restricts the access of
international travelers to Central Florida, such as the one being demanded in
this matter, harms Orlando International’s global connectivity and therefore
harms our community and puts jobs at risk.
The US's Open Skies policy, a hugely successful economic policy in addition to
being smart air service policy, has been indispensable to Orlando International's
success attracting non-stop air service from numerous destinations in Europe,
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. For instance, since the US-Brazil
Open Skies agreement was signed,visitors from Brazil have soared from _____ to
______ in just the past ___ years. On average, each of these international
visitors spend $____ per day.
Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines' demand that Emirates
Airline's new Orlando-Dubai non-stop flight, scheduled to start on September 1
and Central Florida's first non-stop air service link to the Middle East, be
prohibited is very troubling. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority estimates
this flight will produce more that $100 million in annual economic benefits for
Central Florida. The new air service trade bridge between Orlando, Dubai and
one-stop connecting destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia will
stimulate new tourism opportunities to visit Central Florida by making air travel
more convenient and increase competitive choice. None of the complaining
airlines are offering to provide non-stop Orlando-Dubai air service instead. In
fact, none of them offer any non-stop international flights to Central Florida.
Accordingly, if the Administration unwisely agrees with their narrow selfinterested demand, it could cost Central Florida $100 million in annual
commercial activity. Obviously, this would be contrary to the best interest of
Central Florida and harmful to _____________.
Secretaries Kerry, Foxx and Pritzker, _________ is counting on you to be guided
by the broader national interest, not the narrow interest of a few. I believe
that focus will lead to the inescapable conclusion that Open Skies policy has and
continues to produce enormous economic benefits for our country, and any attempt
to limit or restrict existing Open Skies rights is unwise and a policy detour the
US economy, Central Florida and _________ cannot afford.