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

Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE .U.S" Department Washington, DC 20590 of Transportc;Jtioo 

Office at the Secretary 

at Transportafi'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 behalf ofthe Secretary. 

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 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, beginning with a review ofthe 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 of your 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. 

Sincerely yours, 

Susan L. Kurland 


Assistant Secretary for 


Aviation and International Affairs 

S 10-100308-045 


.. 


State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 


State House 


Providence, Rhode Island 02903-1196 


401-222-2080 


Donald L. 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~ 

Dear Mr. Secretary: 

Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for the application for antifrust immunity 

and proposed joint business agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The 

proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for oneworld to compete effectively with the 

Star and SkyTeam: alliance. This increased interalliance competition will in tum enhance the . 

benefits of the 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 a thorough review, I encourage the Department 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 air travel 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 .. 

I urge you to quickly approve this application. 

Donald L. Carcied 

cc: Kevin Dillon, Rhode Island Airport Corporation .