### < S 10-10021 7-034

U.S. Department ofTransportation Office of the Seoretary Assistant Secretary

, " II**~~** , 1200 N\lY' JerS4:lY Avenue, SE Washlligton, DC 20590 '-! I '
\ 

## . "....**~** ofTransportation**'I~it** 

### MAR 10 2010 Mr. John Galandak President Commerce and Industry Association

ofNew Jersey South 61 Paramus Road Paramus, NJ 

### 07652 Dear Mr. 

### Galandak:

. Thank

### you for your letter supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by An Nippon Airways. United Air Lines, and Continental Airlines. As you may know. the appHcants,"-members ofthe StarAlliance-are seeking antitrust immunity 

### to closely coordinate flights between the United States andAsia. According to the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajoint venture for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administered in apublic docket, which ensures that interestedparties have the opportunity to comment. The U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluate the application according to rigorous statutory standards, beginning with areview ofthe record to detennine if

### it is substantially complete, Decisions on the application are made in consultation with the U.s. Department ofJustice's AntiitUst Division following a thorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matter is now pending, Ihope youunderstand that I cannot' commenton 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 ournormal practice,I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket**DOT~OST82009-_** 

### as a contact outside the record in this matter. I appreciate yourinterest in this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

Susan L, Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

# -
S 10-1 00217-034 

# ClAra

Commerce and IndustryAssociation of New Jersey South 61 Paramus Road, Mack-Call Centre IV, Paramus, New Jersey 07652 201·368-2100 Fax 201-368·3438 lIWJW.cianJ.org January 27,2010

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary United States Department ofTransportation 1200New Jersey A venue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Dear Secretary LaHood: lamwriting in support ofthe ContinentallUnitedlAll Nippon Airwaysjoint application for antitrust immunity and approval for the three carriers to create the first everjoint airline venture between the U.S. and Asia. Last year, I supported Continental's Trans-Atlantic antitrust immunity andjoint venture application tojoin the Star Alliance given the consumerbenefits it would provide. Continental's subsequent entrance into Star has enhanced competition among all three global alliances in the NewarklNew York City region and, for instance, is the primary reason Continental is launching new non·stop service between Newark Liberty and Munich, Germany laterthis year. I am confident that approval ofthe Pacific application can also be helpful to Continental in expanding 

### its network in the Pacific region once economic conditions warrant. Ifirmly believe cooperation among airlines benefits air travel consumers, airline competition, and drivesjobs and economic growth. With the recent U.S.• Japan open skies agreement, barriers to new air service between our region and points in Japan have been removed. Antitrust immunity will enable all three airlines to make coordinated decisions that will give airline customers and shippers more flight choices, more itinerary options, and more fares to choose from when traveling between the U.S. and Asia. I encourage you to approve thisjoint application as promptly as possible. Bestregards, 

# eP-d

NewJersey's business advocate for over80 years.