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U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation 

Office of the Secretory 

of Transportation JUN 1 0 2010 

The Honorable Dave Freudenthal 

Governor of Wyoming en . Cheyenne, WY 82002 (;"1 

Dear Governor Freudenthal: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the application·for antitrust immunity filed by American 

Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalf ofthe Secretary. 

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 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 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 nowpending, I hope you understand that I cannot 

comment on the merits ofthe application. 1 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-2010-0059 as a contacfoutside therecoi:d in this matter. I appreciate your interestin 

. this proceeding. 

Sincerely yours, 

Susan L. Kurland 


Assistant Secretary for 


Aviation and International Affairs 

S I 0-1 00312-053 


DAVE FREUDENTHAL " STATE CAPITOL

GOVERNOR THE STATE OF WYOMING CHEYENNE, 'NY 82002

Office of the Governor 

March 10,2010 

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 


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 proposed joint business 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-Pacific flights with both the Star Alliance (United Airways, Continental 

'Airlines, All Nippon Airlines and others) aIld the SkyTeam Alliance (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 of Transportation to approve this 

applicatiop as it would 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, // / <> ./ ".. " 

/ ~ , ,'" / c/ /'., ./..--:,."> 

4?'~:'?P ~~~.. Dave Freudenthal 

Governor 

DF:SF:pjb 

TTY: 777·7860 PHONE: (307) 777-7434 FAX: (307) 632-3909