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r. TDlw.<'Don-, r ,1T[)' -\ ' , 

### Itk

. . . r 1 i[1i**1 ,~,** **niY'k:~T<:** 1 t Ii 00 NeW Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary U.S. Department '" "." , \L ! " Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation 

### March 25. 2010 Office of the Secretary ofTransportation

The Honorable Raul G

..Salinas Mayor ofLaredo Laredo, TX 78042·0579 DearMayor Salinas: Thank you for your letter ofMarch4 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines and JapanAirlines. I amresponding on behalfofSecretary LaHood. As you mayknow, 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 ajoint 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 ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluate the

application accordingto 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 ofJustice's Antitrust Division following a thorough analysis of competitive factors. Asthis matter is nowpending, I hope you understand that I cannot comment onthe merits ofthe·applicati6.ti. I can assure you, however, that DOT will give full and fair consideration to the application as well as any comments filed inthe docket. As is ournormal practice, I am placing 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,

# ~./).'. ,./(j ![ 

# UL-V
Susan 

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

### S 10-100309-057 

# CITY OF LAREDO
RAUL G. SALINAS Mayor

March 4,2010 The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 

### New Jersey Ave,SE Washington, DC 20590 Docket**DOT-OST-201O~** 

### Dear Secretary LaHood: Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for the application for antitrust immunity and proposedjoint business agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for the oneworld alliance to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliances. This increased alliance competition wilJ in 

### tum enhance thebenefitsofthe 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 thoroughreview, I 

### encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this application as it would enable these oneworld alliance airlines to work closely togetherto deliver highly competitive air transportation services. APl>roval for AAlJAL alliance will have a positive impact on air travelbyoffering customers more service, scheduling and pricing options and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from the competition afforded by three 

### competitive air 

### alliances. Laredo, Texas the 6th 

### largest U. S. 

### Customs District will benefit from the additional competitive service to Japan. In 2007, the latest trade numbers available, Laredo, Texas processed approximately $672 million oftrade with Japan. Laredo'sbusiness community thus has a strong business relationship with Japan and will be benefitbythe antitrust immunity sought by the oneworld alliance. Therefore, 

### I, respectfully request your support ofthe application filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. Ifyou have any questions orneed additional information, please contact Mr. Jose L. Flores, Airport Director at (956) 

### 79,5-2000.

# Sr;&~~ Raul 

### G. Salinas

.

Laredo Texas**78042~0579** (956) 

### 791-7400 Fax (956)'**.~'$";:;'3'** .. 

### 1110 Houston P.O. Box 579