1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary U.S. Department Washington, DC 20590 ofTransportation Office ofthe Secretary 

### APR 0 2 

## 2010 ofTransportation

The Honorable Ardell F. Brede Mayor ofRochester Rochester,MN 55904 Dear Mayor Brede: Thank you fot 

### yOur letter ofMarch 12 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by American Ai:rlinesand Japan Airlines. I amresponding on behalfofSecretary LaHood. As you may kno'W, the applicants-members ofthe oneworld Alliance-are seeking antitrust immunity to closely coordinate flights betweenthe United States and Asia. According to the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajointventure 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 onthe 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 amplacing a copy ofyour letter and this response inDocket DOT-OST·2010-0059 as a contact outside the record in this matter. I appreciate your interest in this proceeding.
. Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Mfairs

### S10-100322-030 MayorArdell F. Brede 201 4th StreetSE

- Room 281

Rochester. MN 55904-3782 Phone: (507) 328-2700 Fax: (507) 328-2727



### March 12,2010



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### abiede@rochestennn.gov

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### The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Docket DOT-OST-2010-" DearMr. Secretary: Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for the application for antitrust· immunity and proposedjointbusiness agreement .filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alJiance between these two airline.s is vital for ooeworld to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliance. This increased interalliance competition will in tum enhance the benefits oftheDepartment's Open Skies policyfirst by solidifying U.SAapanOpen Skies. then by serVing as 

### a foundation for further liberalization across Asia.
. After a thorough review, I 

### encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this application 

### as it would enable these ooeworld alliance airlines to work closely together to deliver highly competitive airtransportation services. Approval for AA/JAL alliance will have apositive 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. I 

### urge you to quickly approve this application. Sincerely, 

# Atll*t1F-AttdC .. Ardell F. Brede, Mayor City ofRochester 2014th 

### ST SE R()chester, MN 55904**~.'** •