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

Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary March 25. 2010 

of Transportation 

The Honorable John R. Marks, III 


Mayor of Tallahassee 


Tallahassee, FL 32301-1731 


Dear Mayor Marks: 

Thank you for your letter of February 25 supporting the application for antitrust hnmunityfiled 

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

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

immunity to Closely coordinate flights between the United States and Asia. According to the 

.applics,tion, the alliance partners plan to launch a joint venture for conveyance of transpacific 

traffic. 

:rhe 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 of the record to 

determine if it is substantially complete. Decisions on the application are made in consultation 

with the U.S. Department ofJusti£e'sAntitrust Division following a thorough analysis of 

competitive factors. As this matter is now pending, I hope you understand 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 our normal practice, r am placing a copy of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST-2010-_ as a contact outside the record inthis matter. I appreciate your interest in 

this proceeding. 

Sincerely yours, 

·jl L. /'1 ,.1 ) /;) . /0 J,Vk yttc2 

Susan L. Kurland 


. Assistant Secretary 


for Aviation and International Affairs 

•• S 10-100304-025 


JOHN I\. MARKS, ilL MAYOR 

~LAHASsEE 

February 25, 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 allianoe between these two airlines is vital for oneworId 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 w1ll help. to ensure that customers continue to benefit from having 

three competitive·air allianoes to choose from. 

I urge you to quickly approve this application. 

City Hall, 300 South Adams Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301·1731 • 850-891-2000' FAX 850-891-8542' TDD711 • talgov.com