## DEPT OFTHANSPORTI\TION 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary U.S. Department 

### nOCKF.TS Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation March 25, 2010 Office ofthe Secretary ofTransportation

Mr. Larry D. Groth, P.E. CityManager P.O. Box 2570 Waco, TX 76702 DearMr. Groth: Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 25 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines
. and Japan Airlines. I am responding onbehalfofSecretary LaHood. As you may know, the applicants-members ofthe oneworld Alliance-are seeking antitrust immunity to closely coordinate flights betweenthe United States and Asia. According to the application, the alliance partnersplan to launch ajoint venture for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administered in a public docket, which ensures that interestedparties have the opportunity to comment. The U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluatethe application according to rigorous statutory standards, beginning with a review ofthe record to determine ifitis 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 onthe merits ofthe application. I can assure you, however, that DOT will give full and fair considerationto the application as well as any comments filed in the docket. As is ournormal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour 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 andInternational Affairs

### S 10-100304-044



### CITY OFWACO CityManager'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 opportunityto 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 ofthe 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 atl1orough 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 ofthis application.

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# ~i)~. Larry D. Groth, P.E.,· City Manager tm

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