## O 'F**rlr:i!,.~.0<;pnpTAT!OI~** , • iJ"'-Vf vnl f' j Assistant Sl:fcretary 

## nnr'vr"r ' 200 New Jersey Avenue. SE

. U.S. Department " •.. ,/,,,,1 ,j Washington. DC 20590

ofTransportation March 25, 2010 Office of the Secretary ofTransportation
Mr. Bruce E. Carter, A.A.R DirectQr ofAviation Metropolitan Airport Authority Quad City International Airport P.O. Box 9009 Moline,IL 61265-9009

### DearMrrThank you for your letter ofFebruary 24 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by AmericanAirlines-andJapan Airlines.' I 

### am responding on behalfofSecretary LaHood. As you may know, the applicants---members ofthe oneworld Alliance-are seeking antitrust immunityto closely coordinate flights between the United States and Asia. According to the

.application, the alliance partners plan to,..1aunch ajoint venture for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administered in a public docket, which ensures that interested parties havethe 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 onthe 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 nowpending, 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 ofyour**l~tter** and this response in Docket**DOT-OST-2010-~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 1 0-1 00302-046 

## METROPOLITANAIRPORTAUTHORITY • OF ROCI{ ISLAND COUNTY, ILLINOIS QUADelTV INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT P.O. BOX 9009 MOLINE, IL 61265·9009 309·764·9621 TEL 309·757-1515 FAX


### February 24, 2010

TheHonorable Raymond H. LaHood**Secr~tary,** 

### U.s. Departme}1t ofTI:'ansportation t'200New Jersey Ave, SE
. Washington, DC 20590 DocketDOT-OST-20 1 

# 0--.
DearMr.

# seer,?'.R

# "dThank you for the opportunity to express my support for the application fol' antitrust immunity andproposedjointbusiness agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for the oneworld alliance to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliances. This increased alliance competition will in turn**e.iih.aD.c~** 

### the'benefits ofthe Department's Open Skies policy

- first by solidifying U.S,

- Japan Open Skies;'then by serving as a foundation for further liberalization across Asia. After athorough review, I encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this application as it would enable these oneworld alliance airlines to work closely together to deliver highly competitive air transportation services. Approval for AAIJAL alliance will have a . positive impact on air travel by offering customers more service, scheduling and pricing options andwIll help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from the competition afforded by three competitive air alliances.
. I urge you to quickly approve this application. Sincerely,

# Jf31~ 

# CJ6­ Bruce E. Carter; A.A.E. 

### DirectorofAviation



## ... ,. " ' .... ANDREW J. GIANULIS, COMMISSIONER:. JAMES E. DAVIES. CHAIRMAN ROBERT D. LEIBOVITZ, COMMISSIONER
. CARt A. ROBINSON, 'liCECHAIRMAN BRUCE B. CARTER, A.A.E. DONALD R. MARGENTHALER, COMMISSIONER JAMES C. JANNES.**SECRET.~Y** DIRECTOR OF AVIATION RICHARD H. WORK, COMMISSIONER MOLLY T. FOLE.Y,TReASURER