DEPT OF THANSPORTI\TION 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary U.S. Department nOCKF.TS Washington, DC 20590 

of Transportation 

March 25, 2010 Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

Mr. Larry D. Groth, P.E. 


City Manager 


P.O. Box 2570 


Waco, TX 76702 


Dear Mr. Groth: 

Thank you for your letter of February 25 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed 

by American Airlines . and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalf of Secretary 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 of Transportation (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 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 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 10-100304-044 


CITY OF WACO 


City Manager's Office 

Post Office Box 2570 

Waco, Texas 76702-2570 

254 I 750-5640 

Fax: 254 I 750-5880 

www.waco-texas.com . 

February 25, 2010 

. The HonorabJe Raymond H. L~Ho~d. 

Secretary 

u.s. Department ofTransportation 

. 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Docket DOT-OST~2010-'" 

Dear secretary LaHood: 

" , . . 

Thank you for 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 aliiance 

between these two airlines is vital for the one world alliance to compete effectively with the Star and 

SkyTe·amalliances.. This increased aliiance competition will in turn 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 liberalization across Asia. 

After a tl1orough review, I encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this application as it 

would enable these one world alliance airlines to work closelytogether to deliver highly competitive air 

transportation services. Approval for AA/JAL alliance wili have a positiv.; impact on air travel by offering 

customers mpre serifice, scheduling and pricing options and willlieip to ensure that customers continue 

to benefit from the competition afforded by three competitive air alliances. Thank you for consideration 

of this application. 

sinc~ri~ _ if~... 


~i)~. 

Larry D. Groth, P.E.,· 

City Manager 

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