".,".'" " ''k'll't_,'
..
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE U.S. Department Assistant Secretary Washington. DC 20590 of Transportation Office of the Secretary ofTransportation 

### JUN 1 0 

## 2010

,The Honorable Thomas M. Menino Mayor ofBoston Boston, MA 02201 Dear Mayor Menino: Thank you for your letter supportingthe application for antitrust immunity filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalfofthe Secretary
..**~** As you may know, the**applic~ts-members** ofthe oneworld Alliance-are seeking antitrust immunity to closely coordinate flights between the UnitedStates and Asia. According to the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajoint venture for transpacific 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 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 thatI cannot comment on the merits ofthe application
.. I can assure you, however, that DOT will give full and fair consideration to the**appli~ation** as well as any comments filed inthe docket. As is our normal practice, I am placing 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. Sincerely yours,

Susan 

### L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for

.Aviation and International Affairs

### S 10-100414-003

CITY OF BOSTON • MASSACHUSETI'S OFFICE OF THE MAYOR THOMAS M. MENINO 

### April 2, 20 

### I0 

### The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 

### New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 

### Docket DOT-OST-20 

### 1**O-~** "


### Dear Mr. Secretary: Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for the application for antitrust immunity and proposedjointbusiness agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliancebetweeri these two airlines is vital for oneworld to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliance. This increased interalliance competition will in tumerihance the benefits ofthe Department's Open Skies policyfirst by solidifying U.S.-Japan Open Skies, then byserving as a foundation for further liberalization across Asia. After a thorough review, ( encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this application as it would enablethese ,0ne:worldaUiance airlines to workclosely together to

. deliver highly competitive air transportation services
.. Approval for ANJAL alliance 

### will

have apositive impact on air travel by offering customers more service,scheduling and pricing options and will help to ensure that customers continue to benefit from having three competitive air alliances to choose from. 

### I urge you to quickly approve this application.
SincerelY 

# '9**-~-.**

# _... . ........ .:>**-,~** ... "'- .,,,.., \-.- .............**~-::::** .......

# --....**~-** 

### ..**~!t:'?7t-tkJ** 

### ....**~** -'-!'- .,...

/
.. '



### . .' Thomas M. Mertino Mayor ofBoston

BOSTON CITY HALL • ONE CITY HALL PLAZA • BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS 02201 • 617/635-4000