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Or. TDlw.<'Don-, r ,1T[)' r 1 i[1i 1 ,~, -\ ' , Itk . . . niY'k:~T<: 1 t Ii 00 NeW Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary U.S. Department '" "." , \L ! " Washington, DC 20590 

of Transportation 

Office March 25. 2010 of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

The Honorable Raul G ..Salinas 


Mayor ofLaredo 


Laredo, TX 78042·0579 


Dear Mayor Salinas: 

Thank you for your letter ofMarch 4 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 flights between 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 on the application are made in consultation 

with the U.S. Department ofJustice'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·applicati6.ti. 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 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 proposed joint 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 the benefitsofthe 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. APl>roval 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 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's business community thus has a strong 

business relationship with Japan and will be benefit by the 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 or need 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)' 1110 Houston P.O. Box 579 .~'$";:;'3' ..