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U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE ofTransportation Washington, DC 20590 Office of the Secretary April 14, 2010 ofTransportation

The Honorable Mark Stodola Mayor ofLittle Rock Little Rock, AR 72201 'I Dear Mayor Stodola: 

## Thank you for your

### lett~r ofMarch 4 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. 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 ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administered inapublic docket, which ensures that interested parties have the opportunity to comment. The U.S. DepartIIlent ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluate the application according to rigorous statutory standards, beginning with a review ofthe record to determine ifit is substantially complete. Decisions onthe application are made in consultation withthe 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. I can 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 am placing a copy ofyour letter andthis response in Docket DOT-OST-2010-0059 as a contact outside the record inthis matter. I appreciate your interest in this proceeding.

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

## c SlO-l 003 15-045 .C?lty of little.floCk Mark Stodola City HaJl, .Aoom 203 Mayor 500 W •. Markham Ul1Ie Rock, Arkansas 72201.1427 Phon t) 371-4510 F 1)371-4496 wwwJittlerook.org

Marth 4, 2010
The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation .1200

### New Jersey Ave, SE Wasbington, DC 20590 oot;ket**DOT·OST·2010~ D~ar**  Mr. Secretary: Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for the application for antitrust Immunity and prOposed joint business agreement flied by American Airlines ang)agim Airlines. The proposed alliance be.tween these two airlines is vital for theoneworld allianceto compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam 

### alliances. This 

### increased**ailia~omptirnl8fl wlfr1n~tl.irn~·enhance**  the benefits 

### of the Department's Open Skies policy - first by solidifying U.S. - Japan Open Skies, then by serving asa foundation for further liberalization across Asia. After a thorough review, 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 ANJAl alliance will have a positive impact on airtravelby offering**~ustomers** more servite, scheduling and pricing options and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefitfrom the competition afforded bythree competitive air alliances.
Sincerely,

# j~ 

# l Mark Stodola Mayor [urge you to quickly approve this application.

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