1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE U.S. Department AssistantSecretary Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation Office ofthe Secretary March 25. 2010 ofTransportation

TheHonorable John R. Marks, III Mayor ofTallahassee Tallahassee, FL 32301-1731 Dear Mayor Marks: Thankyou for your letter ofFebruary 25 supporting the application for antitrusthnmunityfiled by American Airlines and Japan Airlines: . I am responding on behalfofSecretary LaHood. As youmay know, the applicants-members ofthe oneworld Alliance-are seeking antitrust immunityto Closely coordinate flights between the United States and Asia. According to the

.applics,tion,the alliance partners plan to launch ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. :rhe application is·administered in apublic docket, which ensures that interested parties have the 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 ifitis substantially complete. Decisions onthe 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, Ihope you understand that I cannot commenton themerits 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, 

## ram placing a copy ofyour 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
TheHonorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200NewJersey 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 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 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 youto quickly approvethis application.

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