S \ 0-\ 00225-033 


U.S. Department Assistant Secretary , ':­

of Transportation 'j 

I 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation MAR 1 0 2010 

Mr. Rex A Tippetts, AA.E, 


Director of Aviation 


Grand 1unction Regional Airport Authority 


2828 Walker Field Drive, Suite 301 


Grand Junction, CO 81506 


Dear Mr. Tippetts: 

Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 23 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed 

by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalf ofSecretary 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 

app~ication) 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 oIthe 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 of the 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-_ 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 

S 10-100225-033 


Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority 


2828 Walker Field Drive, Suite 301 • Grand Junction, CO 81506 


(970) 244·9100 • Fox: (970) 241-9103 • www.gjoirport.com 


February 2.3, 2010 

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

DocketDOT·OST-2.010-~ 

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 the oneworld alliance to compete effectively with the Star and 

SkyTeam alliances. This increased alliance competition will in turn enhance the benefits ofthe 

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 AA/JAL 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. 

I urge you to quickly approve this application. 

Sincerely, 

Rex A. Tippetts, A.A.E. 

Director of Aviation