, /'1./' "\',t .",,",, U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 ofTransportation Office ofthe Secretory ofTransportation 

## JUN 1 0 

## 2010

The Honorable Dave Freudenthal Governor ofWyoming en

. Cheyenne, WY 82002 (;"1

Dear GovernorFreudenthal: Thank you for your letter supporting the application·for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I amresponding onbehalfofthe Secretary. As you may know, the applicants-members ofthe oneworld Alliance-are seeking antitrust immunityto closely coordinate flights between the United States and Asia. Accordingto the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajoint venture for transpacific 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 statutorystandards, beginning with a review ofthe record to determine ifit is substantially complete. Decisions onthe application are made inconsultation with the U.S. DepartmentofJustice's Antitrust Division following a thorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matter is nowpending, I hope youunderstand that I cannot commentonthe merits ofthe application. 1can'assure you, however, that DOT will give full and fair consideration to the application as well as any comments filed inthe docket. As is our normal practice, I amplacing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-2010-0059 as a contacfoutside therecoi:d inthis matter. I appreciate your interestin

. this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

Susan 

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

### S I0-1 00312-053

STATE CAPITOL DAVE FREUDENTHAL " THE STATE OF WYOMING CHEYENNE, 'NY 82002 GOVERNOR 

# Office ofthe Governor

March 10,2010 The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE ' Washington, DC 20590 Re: Docket DOT-OST-2010-_ ' Dear Secretary LaHood:



# .' I support the application for antitrust immunity and the proposedjointbusiness agreement filed by oneworld Alliance partners American Airlines and Japan Airlines (ANJAL). The proposed partnership agreement between these two airlines is vital for oneworld to compete effectively for trans-Pacificflights with both the StarAlliance (United Airways, Continental 'Airlines, All Nippon Airlines and others) aIld the SkyTeamAlliance (Delta Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Korean Air and others): This increased inter"alliance competition will in tum 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 completing my review, I encourage the Department ofTransportationto approve this applicatiop as itwould provide these oneworJd Alliance airlines the opportunity to work closely together to deliver competitive air transportation services. Approval for the ANJALoneworld Alliance. partnership agreement 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 having three competitive air alliances to choose from for trans-Pacific flights. I urge you to support the oneworld Alliance business agreement and to quickly approve their application for antitrust immunity. Best regards, // / <> ./ ".. " /**~** 

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# .. Dave Freudenthal Governor DF:SF:pjb

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