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............ ' , I Assistant Secretary i;; <,.:;

### S 1200 New Jersey AI/enue, SE U.S. Department Washington, OC 20590 of Transportation Office of the Secretary ofTransportation 

### MAR 1 7 2010 The Honorable Paul A. 

### Sarlo New Jersey Senator Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075 Dear Mr. Sarlo: Thank: you for your letter ofMarch 3 supporting the application for antitrust immuirity filed by All Nippon Airways, United Air Lines, and Continental Airlines. The Secretary has asked that I respond to your letter directly. As you may know, the applicants-members ofthe Star Alliance-are seeking antitrust immunity to closely coordinate flights betweenthe United States and Asia. According to the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajoint venture for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is**administ~red** 

### 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 areview oftherecord to determine ifit is substantially complete. Decisions onthe application are made in consultation with the U.S. Department ofJustice's Antitrust Division following athorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matter is nowpending, Ihope you understand that I cannot comment on the merits ofthe 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 ofyour letterand this response in Docket DOT-OST-2009
.... as a contact outside the record in this matter. Iappreciate your interest in this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

Susan L. 

### Kurland f\ssistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

### S10-100309-037 NEW JERSEY SENATE

PAULA SARLO COMMITTEES DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER CHAIRMAN 36TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT JUDICIARY 207 HACKENSACK STREET
- 2ND FLOOR LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTIEE WOOD-RIDGE, NJ 07075 VICE-CHAIRMAN fRONS: (201) 804-8118 BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

FAX: (201) 804-8644 LABOR March 3, 2010 The Honorable Ray LaHood; Secretary United State Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
. Washington, DC 20590 Dear SecretaryLaHood: I 

### am writing in supportofthe ContinentallUnitedlAll Nippon Airwaysjoint application for antitrust immunity and approval for the three carriers to create the first everjoint airline venture between the U.S. and Asia. Last year; (supported Continental's Trans-Atlantic antitrust immunity andjointventure application tojointhe StarAlliance given the consumerbenefits it would provide. Continental's subsequent entrance into Starhas enhanced competition among all three global alliances in the NewarklNew York City region and, for instance, is the primary reason Continental is launching new non-stop service between Newark Liberty and Munich, Germany laterthis year. I 

### am confidentthat approval ofthe Pacific application can also be helpful to Continental in expanding its network in the Pacific region once economic conditions warrant. I firmly believe cooperation among airlines benefits 

### air travel consumers, airline competition, and drivesjobs and economic growth. With the recentU.S.

- Japan open skies agreement, barriers to new air service between our region and points in Japan have been removed. Antitrustimmunity will enable all three airlines to make coordinate decisions that will give airline customers and shippers more flight choices, more itinerary options, and moreJares to choose from whentraveling between the U.S. and Asia.
. I encourage you to approve thisjoint application as promptly as possible. Sincerely, 

# (J/'l/y., Paul A. Sarlo,
. i::
. Senator,District 36 laa

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