**---------------~~- .----~-----~------..,.---....,..** 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary

.U.S" Department Washington, DC 20590 of Transportc;Jtioo Office at the Secretary atTransportafi'on 

## JUN 1 () 2010

The Honorable Donald 

### L. Carcieri Governor ofRhode Island Providence,Rl 02903-1196 Dear Governor Carcieri:

, Thank you for your letter supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by American

Airlines and Japan Airlines. I 

## am responding on behalfofthe Secretary. As you may know, the applicants-members ofthe oneworld Alliance-are seeking antitrust • immunity toclosely coordinate flights between the United States and Asia. According to the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajoint venture for transpacific 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, beginningwith a review of the record to determine ifit is substantially complete. Decisions on the application are made in consultation with the U.S. Department ofJustice's Antitrust Division followip.g 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 am placing a copy ofyourletter and this response inDocket DOT-OST

-2010-0059 as a contact outside the recordin this matter. I appreciate your interestin this·proceeding. Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

### S 10-100308-045



# ..
State ofRhodeIsland and Providence Plantations State House Providence, Rhode Island 02903-1196 401-222-2080


### DonaldL. Carcieri Governor February 26.2010

The Honomble RaymondH. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department**ofTransportati~** 1200**N~w** Jersey**Avenue~** SE Washington, DC 20590·· Docket**DOT"OST-2010~** 

### DearMr. 

### Secretary: Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for the application for antifrust immunity and proposedjointbusiness agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for oneworldto compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam: alliance. This increased interalliance competition will in tum enhance the
. benefits ofthe Department's Open Skies policy

- first by solidifying U.S.-Japan Open Skies, then by serving as a foundation for further libemlization across Asia. After athorough review, I encourage theDepartment ofTransportation 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 AAlJAL alliance will have a positive impact on airtravel by offering customers more service, scheduling and pricing optioris and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from having three competitive air alliances to choose from
.. Iurge you to quickly approve this application.

Donald L. Carcied

cc: Kevin Dillon, Rhode Island Airport Corporation
.