**m;\NSPORT!\T10~o** New Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary U.S. Department 

### nOCKETS· Washington, DC 20590 ofTransportation 

### March 25. 2010 Office ofthe Secretary ofTransportation 

### 51.1



### The Honorable Norm Archibald Mayor ofAbilene Abilene, TX 79604 ' DearMayor Archibald: Thankyou 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 between the United States andAsia. According to the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajoint 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 ofnansportation (DOT) will evaluate the application according to rigorous statutory standards, beginning with a review ofthe record to determine if

### itis substantially complete. Decisions onthe application are made in consultation with the U.S. Department ofJustice's Antitrust Division following a thorough analysis of competitive fl:J,ctors. As this matteris now pendingd hope you understand that I cannot comment onthe merits ofthe application. I can assure you, however, that DOT willgive 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-eJ059 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_ ,e Ii' '.. " 

### S10-1003 16-02I

CITY OF ABILENE 

### Norm Archibald Mayor

February 25,2010

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Docket**DOT·OST·2010~** American Airlines and Japan Airlines
- Antitrust Immunity Dear Mr. Secretary: 'Thank you forthe opportunity to express the support of the City ofAbilene for the application for antitrust immunity and proposed joint businessagreement 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

.,.. .SkyTeam 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 a foundation for further liberalization across Asia. After a thorough review, we encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this application as it would enable theseoneworld alliance airlines to work closely together

### to deliver highly competitive airtransportation services. The City ofAbilene and the west central Texas region are served solely by American Airlines/American' Eagle, approval for an ANJAL alliance will have a positive impact on air travel by offering our region's travelers'more service, scheduling and pricing options and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from the competition afforded by**threecompeti~ive** air alliances. We urge you to quiCkly approve this application. Sincerely,

P.O. BOX 60 • 555WALNUT STREET • ABILENE. TEXAS 79604 • 325-676-6205 IV", \\'0(1, It'gel/ler tv bwlda cvmmuntty of tile highest quality forpresent and future generallolls