or:oT (lr: Tr;/.~ l"li . .... . LI . -..'1 ~ 1\:\i'i0!~ORTATIt:tl.h New Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary i \f{'I"~" HJPI" .. U.S. Department . ",'J,:: i0 Washington, DC 20590 

of Transportation 

March 25, 2010 Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

Mr. Steven Grossman 

Executive Director/CEO 

Jacksonville Aviation Authority 


14201 Pecan Park Road 


Jacksonville, FL 32218 

DearMr~ 

Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 24 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed 

by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalf ofSecretary LaHood. 

As you may know, the applicants-members of the 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 a joint 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 if it 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 on the merits of the 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 of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST-2010-_ 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 Affairs 

S 1 0-100304-039 


JACKSONVilLE 

AvfAfioN AufiffRTiv 

PO Box 18018 

February 24, 2010 

Jacksonville, Fl 

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 


Secretary.
 32229·0018 

u.s. Department of Transportation 


1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 


WIIJIu.jlllt.atro Washington, DC 20590 

Attention: Docket DOT-OST-2010__ 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

Thank you fp( 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 the Department's Open Skies 

policy - first by solidifying U.S.- Jspan Open Skies, then by serving as a 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 AA/JAL alliance will 

have a positive impact on air travel by offering customers more service, scheduling aAd 

pricing options and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from the 

competition affdtded by three competitive air alliances. 

I urge you to quickly approve this application. 

Sincerely, 

~~ Executive Director/CEO 

Jacksonville Aviation Authority 


14201 Pecan Park Rd. 


Jacksonville, FL 32218 

sgrossman@jaa.aero 

JacksOIlville blttl'national Airport • el'aig Ail'port • Herlollg Airport· Cuil Pield