### q

U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE of Transportation Washington, DC 20590 Office ofthe Secretary March 25, 2010 ofTransportation

Mr. Gene N. Olson Director ofAirports Metropolitan Airport Authority 6100 W. Everett McKinley Dirksen Parkway Peoria, IL 61607
Dear

### Mr. Olson:
Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 23 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed ',byAmerican Airlines and JapanAirlines. I am responding onbehalfofSecretary 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 application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajoint 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 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 now pending, I hope you understand that I cannot comment onthe 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 letter and this response in Docket DOT**~OST ~20**  1

# 0-_

as a contact outside the record in this matter. I appreciate your interest in this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

# ,A1~tJ Susan 

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



### S 10-100302-048 'U9 METROPOLITAN

AIRPORT 6100 W. Everett McKinley Dirksen Parkway Peoria. lIIinois 61607 AUTHORITY Phone: (309) 697-8272

OF PEORIA Fax; (309) 697-8J32 www.flypia.com**,.,-.~**



### February 23, 2010 The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary

.. U.S. Depaltment'OfTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Doc::ket DOT"OST"2010--' 

### DearMr. Sec!etary: The Metropolitan Airport Authority ofPeoria would like to express its support for the application for antitrust immunity and proposedjointbusiness 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 Depru1menes Open Skies policy

- first by solidifying U.S.

- Japan Open Skies, then by serving as a foundation for further liberalization across Asia. In addition, this alliance will 

### benefitCentral Illinois by providing additional travel options inthe Far East for Herut oflllinois businesses. We encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this**app~ication** 

### as it would enable these oneworld alliance airlines to work closelytogetherto deliver highly competitive air transportation services. Approval for AAiJAL 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. We urge you to quickly approve this application. Please contactme ifyou have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, Metropolitan Airport Authority ofPeoria

# .-J{~~ Gene N. Olson Director ofAirports golson@flypia.com