Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE U.S. Department Washington, DO 20590 

of Transportation 

April 14, 2010 Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

The Honorable Joe Straus 

Speaker 

Texas House ofRepresentatives 

Austin, TX 78768 

Dear Speaker Straus: 

Thank you for your1etter ofMarch23 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by 

All Nippon Airways, United Air Lines, andContinentaI Airlines. I am responding on behalfof 

Secretary LaHood. ' . 

As you may know, the applicants-members ofthe Star 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 ofthe application. I can assure you, however, that DOT will give full 

and fair consideration to the appljcation 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~2010~0059 as a contact outside the record in this matter .. I appreciate your interest in 

this proceeding. 

rJrlSusan L. Kurland VA.ssistant Secretary for 

A vtation and International Affairs 
..... 


S I 0- J 00329-003 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JOE STRAUS 

SPEAKER 

March 23, 2010 

The Honorable Ray H. LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Subject: Docket DOT-OST-2010'" 

Dear Mr. Secretary; 

I am writing in support of the application for antitrust immunity and proposed joint business agreement 

submitted by Continental Airlines, United Airlines and All Nippon Airways, which are all members of 

the Star Alliance. ---­

Over the last several years, airlines have .created alliances to realize cost reductions, increase benefits 

to the traveler and further liberalize commercial air travel between the United States and other 

countries. 

This joint business agreement between the Star Alliance members is a critical factor in their ability to 

compete effectively with the Oneworld and Sky Team alliances. Increased competition .among the 

alliances enhances the benefits of the department's Open Skies policy by further liberalizing 

commercial air transport between the United States and Japan and fosters closer ties between alliance 

members. 

The Star Alliance members will be able to offer more competitive service, scheduling and pricing 

options for air travel customers. Travelers will ultimately benefit from the increased choices and 

options that have been available to consumers in other parts ofthe world. 

I respectfully urge you to approve the application submitted by the Star Alliance airline members. 

Sincerely, 

JRS/ja· 

P.o, Box 2910 • AUSTIN, TEXAS 78768-2910 • ('H2) 463-1000 • FAX (512) 463-067'5