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### OC -I'lJM'lsDORTAIION l,d II**Ir';lq~",** It\.,'. 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Assistant Secretary U.S. Department 

### DC;C;(ETS Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation March 25» 2010 Office of the Secretary ofTransportation

, The Honorable Rick Thompson Speaker ofthe House West Virginia House ofDelegates Charleston, WV 25305 Dear Mr. Thompson: Thank you for your letter ofMarch 2 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 ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific traffic. The application is administered in apublic 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 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 practi2e, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket**DOT-OST-2010~** 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 AffairsS 10-100308-049

WEST VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER RICHARD THOMPSON CHARLESTON 25305 (304) 340-3210 SpeAKER OF THE HOUSE oyoung1@mail.wvnet.edu
March 2, 2010
The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 DocketDOT-OST-2010 M " Dear Mr, Secretary: Thank you forthe 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 withthe Stararid SkyTeam alliance. This increased interalliance competition 

### will intum enhancethe benefits ofthe Department's Open Skies policy

- first by solidifying U,S.-Japan Open Skies, thenby serving as a foundation for further liberalization across Asia. After athoroughreview, I encouragethe Department ofTransportation to approvethis application as it would enable these oneworld alliance airlines toworkclosely togetherto deliver highly competitive airtransportation 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 tobenefit from having three competitive air alliances to choose from.

. Iurge you to quickly approve this application.