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1200 New Jersey Allenue, SE Assistant Secretary U.S. Department Washington, DC 20590 ofTransportation Office of the Secretary 

### APR 0 2 2010

, ofTransportation

The Honorable Jonathan Weinzapfel Mayor ofEvansville Evansville, IN 47708 ()l \""') Dear Mayor Weinzapfel: Thank you for your letter ofMarch 11 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 between the United States and Asia. 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 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, Ihope you understand that I cannot comment on the merits ofthe application. I can assure you, however, that DOTwill give full and fair consideration to the application as well as any comments filed in the docket. Asisournormal 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 AffairsSlO-100317-037


# CITY OF EVANSVILLE
ONe N.W. MAATIN I..UTHElRKING. JR. SI..VO. -ROOM 302 OFFloe OF THe MAYOR EVANSVII.I.E. IN01ANA 47708-1833 JONATHANWEINZAF'FEL (812) 436-4962. FAX (812) 436-4966 o TOOffTV (812) 436-4928 www.Evansv'UeGov.org March 11, 2010

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Docket**DOT-OST-2010~_** DearMr. Secretary: Thank youfor the opportunity to express my supportfor the application for antitrust immunity and proposedjointbusiness agreement filed by American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital for oneworld to compete effectively with the Star and.SkyTeam alliances. Thisincreased inter-alliance competition will, in tum, enhance the benefits ortheDeparttnent's Open Skies policy

- first by SOlidifying U.s.-Japan Open Skies, then by serving as afoundation for further liberalization across Asia. Iencourage the Department ofTransportation 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 AAfJAL alliance will have apositive impact on air travel by offering customers more service, scheduling and pricing options and will help to ensurethat customers continue to benefitfrom having three competitive air alliances from which to choose. Again, thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

# q~~~ Jonathan Weinzapfel Mayor