U.S. Department Assistant Secretary ofTransportation Office ofthe Secretary March 25, 2010 ofTransportation 51..1

Mr. Robert 

### H. Working, A.A.E. Airport Manager Evansville-Vanderburgh Airport Authority District 7801 Bussing Drive Evansville, IN 47725
Dear Mr. Working:
Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 24 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 between the United States and Asia. According to the

application,the alliance partners plan to launch ajointventure 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 ifitis substantially complete. Decisions onthe application are made in consultation with the U.S. Department ofJustice's AntitrustDivision following a thorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matter is nowpending, 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 inthe 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 and International Affairs

### S 10-100303-017
Evansville-Vandernurgh Airport Authority DistrIct Evansvtlle Regional Airport 7801 Bussin.g Drive Evansville, IN 47725·6799 (812) 421-4401 Office (812) 421-4412 Fax WWW.EIVv:.')ilport,(:om

February 24, 2010

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Docket DOT-OST-20l0-

.. · o.,earMr. Secretary:
Thanlc you forthe opportunityto express Evansvllle-Vanderburgh AirportAuthority District's support for the application for antitrust immunity and proposed Joint business agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for,the oneworld alliance to compete effectively with the Star and Sl<yTeam alliances. This increased alliance 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 afoundation forfurther liberalization across Asia. Afterathorough review, we encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this application as itwould enable these oneworld alliance airlines to work closelytogetherto deliver highly competitive**,~ir** transportation services. Approval forAA/JAL (jlliance will have a positive impact on airtravel by offering customers more service; scheduling and pricing options and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from the competition afforded by three competitive air alliances. We urge you to quickly approve this application. Sincerely, '

# ~jJwd;~' Robe" H. Working. AAE. ) Airport Manager Evansvitle-Vanderburgh Airport Authority District 7801 Bussing Drive . , Evansville, Indiana 47725 ryworking@ewalrport.com