U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 

## OF**J(lY~SPORrATf\mNew** Jersey Avenue, SE I ,I,{\' U"'-C' W h' DC 20590 of Transportation Ilrl,.i\1::! ,) as IOglon, Office of the Secretory March 25. 2010 ofTransportation



### Mr. Patrick S. Graham, A.A.E. Executive Director Savannah Airport Commission
. 400 Airway-s Avenue Savannah, GA 31408

## f~'eL

# DearMr.~: Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 23 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalfofSecretary LaHood
.. 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 plan to launch ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The applicationis administered in a public docket, which ensures that interested parties have the opportunity to comment. The U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluate the applicationaccording 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 onthe 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 amplacing a copy ofyour letter 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,

# ~~VL- Susan 

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

### St

### 0-1 00302-049

....**-~,**

SAVANNAH AIRPORT COMMISSION

CHAIRMAN Sylvester C. Formey

VICE-CHAIRMAN Jay ItTurner

COMMISSIONERS

Stephen S. Green

, Shirley B.James SheldonTenenbaum

LEGAL COUNSEL James B. Blacl<burn

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Patrick S. Graham,AA E. Februal1 23, 2010

The l"lonorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary, 

## U.s. DepartmentofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave, SE Waslllngton, DC 20590 RE: DocketDOT-OST-2010-" Dear

### Mr. Secretary: Thank you for the opportunity to express our support for the application for antitrust immunity and proposed joint business agreement filed by American Airlines andJapan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for the oneworld alliance to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliances. This competition will enhance the benefits of the 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 a thorough review. we encourage the Department of Transportation 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 AA/JAL alliance will have a positive ilnpact on air travel by offering customers more service. scheduling and pricing options and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from the competition affordedby three competitive 

### air alliances. We encourage the quick approval ofthis application.

...... 400AIRWAYSAVENUE' SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31408 • 912.964.0514 P • 912.964.osn F •WWVII.SAVANNAHAIRPORT.COM