Dear Secretary Slater:

It is my understanding that Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA) d/b/a United Express has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting slots at Chicago O’Hare International Airport to serve seven smaller, underserved communities, one of which is Fayetteville, Ark., with three daily nonstop, round-trip flights.

As a member of the Fayetteville community, I am writing to express my strong support of Atlantic Coast Airlines’ application requesting an exemption from the high-density airport rule at Chicago O’Hare. ACA has shown that it is currently operating regional jet equipment, and if granted the slots, would begin to serve Fayetteville sooner than would Simmons. We are encouraged by the fact that United Express/ACA operates five Canadair Regional Jets today, and has an additional 43 on either order or option. I urge you to favor the ACA application since it produces greater public benefit than does the Simmons request, and I also urge you to grant the ACA motion requesting that the Department of Transportation simultaneously consider the ACA and Simmons applications.

The addition of United Express regional jet service to Fayetteville’s Drake Field would have a dramatic, positive impact on our citizens and business community.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Sincerely,