### ------------ --- --- --- --- - _ .. _.._-- --ZQAssistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE U.S. Department Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation Office ofthe Secretary 

## APR 0 2 

## 2010 ofTransportation

The Honorable Ashley Swearengin Mayor ofFresno Fresno, CA 93721 Dear Mayor Swearengin: Thank youforyour.letter ofFebruary25, cosignedby Russell C. Widmar, supportingthe application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on·behalfofSecretary 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 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 ifit is substantially complete. Decisions onthe application are made in consultation withthe U.S. Department ofJustice's Antitrust Division following a thorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matteris 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 ournormal practice, I amplacing a copy ofyour 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. An identical letter has been sent to Mr. Widmar. Sincerely yours,

Susan 

### L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

# ...

U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue
.. SE Washington, DC 20590
. ofTransportation Office ofthe Secretary ofTransportation April 2, 2010
. 

### Mr. Russell C. Widmar, AAE Director 

### OfAviation Fresno Yosemite International Airport 4995 E. Clinton Way Fresno, CA 93727·1525

# DeM~r Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 25, cosigned by Mayor Ashley Swearengin,supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines, I am responding on behalfofSecretary 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 tothe application, the alliance partners planto launch ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administered in a public docket, which ensures that interested parties have the opportunity 

### to conunent. 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 inconsultation withthe U.S.Department ofJustice's Antitrust Division following a thorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matter is nowpending, 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 amplacing a copy ofyour letter and this response inDocket DOT-OST-2010-0059 as a contact outside the record inthis matter. I appreciate your interest in this proceeding. Anidentical letterhas been sent to Mayor Swearengin. Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

### S 1 0-1**00317-0m~**

MAYOR ASHLEY SWEARENGIN February 25, 2010

The Honorable Raymond H. laHood U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Docket DOT-OST**201O~'"** Dear Secretary LaHood: Thank you for the opportunity to express our 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 Sky Team Alliances. This increased alliance competition will, in turn, enhance the benefits ofthe Department ofTransportation'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 of Transportation 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 options and 

### will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from the competition afforded by three competitive air alliances. We respectfully urge you to quickly approve this**~pplication.·** Thank you for your consideration ofthisrequest. Sincerely,

CITY OF FRESNO

. CITY HALL" 

### 2600 FRESNO STREET • FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 

### 93721-3600 (559)621-8000" FAX 

### (559) 621-7990" www.fresno.gov Ashley Swearen
. Mayor