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.