f '.' 

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

of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary APR 0 2 2010 

of Transportation 

The Honorable Cedric B. Glover 

Mayor ofShreveport 


Shreveport, LA 71130 


Dear Mayor Glover: 

i • Thank you for your letter. ofMarch 9 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by 

American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalf of Secretary LaHood. 

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

immunity to closely coordinate tlightsbetween the United States and Asia. According to the 

application, the alliance partners plan to'launch a joint venture for conveyance oftranspacific 

traffic. 

The application is administered in a public docket, which ensures that interested parties have the 

opportunity to comment. The U.S. Department of Transportation (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 of Justice'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 
810-100317-029 


CEDRIC 6. GLOVER 

MAVOR 

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR 

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA POST OFFICE BOX:'! I 109 

SHREVEPORT. LA 71 130 

(318) 673-5050 I (318) 673·5099 (FAX) 

March 9, 2010 

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Docket DOT-OST·2010~ 

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 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, I 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 AAlJAL alliance will have a 

positive impact on air travel by offering customers more service, scheduling and pricing options 

and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from having three competitive air 

alliances to choose from. 

I urge you to quickly approve this application. 

T;Y,.. 

Cedric B. Glov 

MAYOR