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U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey**Avenuei'~** Washington, DC 20590.,\ of Transportation Office of the**S~cretary** March 25.2010**"'~~** ofTransportation

The Honorable John Thodos Mayor ofEast Moline East Moline, IL 61244 Dear May?r Thodos: Thank youfor your letter ofFebruary 24 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I amresponding on behalfofSecretary LaHood. As you may know, the applicants-members oftheoneworldAlliance-are seeking antitrust immunity to closely coordinate flights between the United Statesand Asia. According to the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administered ina 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 oftherecordto determine ifit is substantially complete. Decisions on the application are made in consultation withthe 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 on the merits ofthe application. I can assure you, however, that DOT will give full and fair consideration to the applicationas well as any comments filed inthe docket. As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-2010--'as a contact outside the record inthismatter. I appreciate your interest in this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

Susan 

### L. Kurland Assistant Secretary forAviation and International Mfairs

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CITY OF EAST MOLINE 

# OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

February 24, 2010

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary - ... U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave. SE Washington, DC 20590 Docket DOT-OST-2010-_ Dear Mr. Secretary; Thank you for the 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 for the oneworld alliance to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliances. This increased alliance competition will in turn enhance the benefits of**~e** Department's Open Skies policy -first by solidifying U.S. - Japan Open Skies, then by serving as a foundation forfurther liberalization across Asia. I encourage the Department of Transportation to approve this application as it would enable these oneworld alliance airlines to work closely together to deliver hIghly competitive air transportation services. Approval for M/JAl 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 Slfforded-by three competitive**~alliances.** .

..,,,,..,........... . .**,~.,** ..... Mr.**Secr~tafy,** as ,'m sure you remember American Airlines serves the Quad Cities region (MlI) and I urge**~o6** to approve this application. /

915 SIXTEENTH AVENUE e EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS 61244