A limited number of new slot pairs at Reagan Washington National Airport have been made available by the FAA reauthorization legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden on May 16.
Spirit Airlines is applying to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) for the right to launch a beyond-perimeter route between Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and San José, California.
The Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based ULCC said in a statement it will apply for one of the new DCA slot pairs made available by the FAA reauthorization legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden on May 16.
After a contentious battle over adding DCA slots, including strong opposition from Washington-area U.S. senators, the final bill passed by Congress includes a provision that exempts five new slot pairs, or five roundtrip flights, from the 1,250-mi. perimeter rule applied to the airport. Each airline awarded access will be allotted one pair.
Since passage of the legislation, which reauthorizes the FAA for five years, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have said they will be applying to DOT for a beyond-perimeter DCA slot pair.
Spirit noted San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) will partner in the DOT application. SJC Director Mookie Patel said a route to DCA is a “highly-demanded nonstop service,” adding: "DCA is a uniquely well-positioned gateway to both the center of federal decision-making in Washington and the booming tech center in the surrounding region."
Spirit started serving SJC last year and currently operates from the northern California airport to Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas and San Diego.
Among the new slot pairs, only one will go to a limited DCA incumbent—a carrier holding or operating fewer than six slot pairs at the airport. This is the slot pair Spirit is seeking.
Currently, 40 daily flights to or from DCA are exempted from the 1,250-mi. perimeter rule (about 6% of the airport’s flights). Markets served beyond the perimeter (by a combined seven airlines) include: Austin, Texas; Denver; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Phoenix; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City; San Francisco; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Seattle.
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