as:; 

'0 ~' 

U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE 


Washington. DC 20590
 of TronspodtUiOn 

Office.of the Secretary 


of Tronsportotlotr 


JUN 10 2010 

The Honorable M. Michael Rounds 

Governor of South Dakota 

Pierre, SD 57501-5070 

Dear Governor Rounds: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed. by American 

Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalf of the Secretary . 

. As you may know, the applicants-members of the 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 a joint venture for transpacific traffic. 

The application is administered in apublic 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 Division following a thorough analysis of 

competitive factors. As this matter is now pending, I hope you understand 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 as well as any comments filed in the docket. 

• ' '* 

As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST -2010-0059 as a contact outside 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 of Transportation 


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 of the 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 Department of Transportation to approve this application, because it 

would enable these oneworld alliance airlines to work closely together to deliver highly 

competitive air transportation services. Approval for AAlJAL alliance will have a positive 

imp~c.t·onair travel by offering customers more service, scheduling and pricing options 

,and wUlhelpto 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. ' 

t • ~ :' ,( :. ~!."( :) .';" :~ . ' 

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