### S \0-\00225-033

, ':­ U.S. Department Assistant Secretary of Transportation 'j I Office ofthe Secretary ofTransportation 

### MAR 1 

### 0 

### 2010

Mr. Rex A Tippetts, AA.E, Director ofAviation Grand 1unction Regional Airport Authority 2828 WalkerField Drive, Suite 301 Grand Junction, CO 81506 DearMr. 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 behalfofSecretary 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 ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The 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 areview 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 athorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matteris now pending, Ihope you understand that I cannot comment onthe merits ofthe application. Ican 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 ournormal practice, I am placing acopy ofyour letterand 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,

SusanL. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International AffairsS 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 ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590**DocketDOT·OST-2.010-~** Dear Mr. Secretary: Thank you forthe 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 forthe 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 athorough review, 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. Approval for AA/JAL alliance will have apositive impact on airtravel 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 ofAviation