U.S. Department Assistant Secretary 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE Washington. DC 20590 01 Transportation Office ofthe Secretary ofTransportation 

### MAY. 

### t' 4 20,10

The Honorable Earl Ray Tomblin Senate President

- Lieutenant Governor The Senate ofWest Virginia Charleston. WV 25305 Dear Lt. Governor Tomblin: Thankyou for your letter ofApril 27 supporting the application for antitrustimmunity filed by American Airlines and JapanAirlines. 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 and Asia. According to the application. the alliance partners plan to launch ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administeredinapublic docket, which ensures that interestedparties have the opportunity to comment. The U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluate the application according to rigorous statutory standards, beginning with areview ofthe record to detennine ifit is substantially complete. Decisions on the application are made in consultation with the U.S. Department ofJustice's AntitrustDivision following a thorough analysis of competitive factors. As this matter is now pending, Ihope you understand that Icannot commenton 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 ournormal 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 MfairsSI0-\00503-017

T'1E SeNf,Tf; OF WeST VIRGINIA OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Ll E UTE NANT GO V E.R N 0 FI CHARl.ESTON 25S0$ EARL RAV TOMBLIN Pn"tUJJttN'r .,,, 1--t GOVt:iVt4f.Hl April 27, 2010

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue. S.E.**Washingt~nl** DC 2059Q Docket DOT-OST-2010.:.0034 Dear Mr. Secretary: Thank you for theopportunrty to express my**~.pport** for the application for antitrust immunity and proposed joint busines.s agreement filed by ArnarlCan Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for oneworld to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliance. This Increased

, interatliance competition will in turn enhance the benefits of the Department's Open

Skies policy'" first by solidifying U.S.-Japan Open Skies, then by serving asa foundation for further liberalization across Asia. After a thorough review, Iencouragethe Department of Transportation to approvethi$ application as it would enable theseoneworfd alliance airlines to work closely together to deliver highly competitive**airt~tion** services. Approval for AAlJAL alliance wit! have a positive impact on air travel by offering customers more

.service" scheduling and pricing options and wUlhelp to ensure

### thatcustomers continue to benefit from having three competitive air alliances to choose.from.

. 

### 1urge you to quickly approve this application. Sincerely,

-.j') 

## /1·../ ' / ! 

# //tl,,(**/~vtWyt'~** ( 	 / /1**,~** Earl Ray Tomblin Senate President
- Lt. Governor ERT:ajs.