### as:; 

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U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE Washington. DC 20590 of

### TronspodtUiOn Office. oftheSecretary ofTronsportotlotr 

## JUN 

## 10 2010

The Honorable M. Michael Rounds Governor ofSouth Dakota Pierre, SD 57501-5070 Dear Governor Rounds: Thank youfor your letter supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed.byAmerican Airlines and Japan Airlines. I amresponding on behalfofthe Secretary
.

. As you may know, the applicants-members ofthe oneworld Alliance-are seeking antitrust

immunity to closely coordinate flights between the United States and Asia. According to the application,the alliance partners planto launch ajoint venture for transpacific traffic. The application is administered in

# a public docket, which ensures that interested parties have the opportunity to comment. The U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluate the application according to rigorous statutory standards, beginning with a review ofthe record to determine ifit is substantially complete. Decisions on the application are made in consultation with the U.S. Department ofJustice's Antitrust Divisionfollowing a thorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matterisnowpending, I hope youunderstand that I cannot comment on the merits ofthe application. I can assure you, however, that DOT will give full and fair consideration to the application aswell as any comments filed in the docket.

• ' '* As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-2010-0059 as a contactoutside the record in this matter. I appreciate your interest in this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

Susan 

### L.Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

### S 10-100304-002 

## STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA M. MICHAEL ROUNDS, GOVERNOR
February 24,2010 The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20590 Re: Docket**DOT~OST-201** 0-_

. Dear Mr, Secretary:

, *- , Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for the application for antitrust immunity and proposed joint business agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for oneworld to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliance. This increased interalliance competition will in turn enhance the benefits ofthe Departmenfs Open Skies policy ­ firStby solidifying U.S.-Japan Open Skies, then by serving as a foundation for further liberalization across Asia.
. I encourage the DepartmentofTransportation to approve this application, because it would enable these oneworld alliance airlines to work closely together to deliver highly competitive air transportation services. Approval forAAlJAL alliance will have a positive**imp~c.t·onair** travel by offering customers more service, scheduling and pricing options ,andwUlhelpto assure customers continue to benefit from having three competitive air**alliancesto,choot;efro~.** Your?pproval will also help promote South Dakota's

economic development initiatives and create a better climate for economic development in South Dakota. '
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. ';" :**~** . ' Thank you forVour

## c~nsiderati~n.; Since,rely, i,


### M: Mk:Hael Rounds , {; , " ." MMR:ls

STATE CAPITOL. 500 EAST CAPITOL • PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA**57501~5070** .• 605.773.3212