U.S. Department AssistantSecretary

of Transportation 

Office March 25, 2010 of the Secretary :)1.\ of Transportation 

The Honorable Chris Benge 

Speaker ofthe House 

Oklahoma House of Representatives 

Oklahoma City. OK 73105 

Dear Mr. Benge: 

Thank you for your letter of March 3 supporting the application for antitrust immunity filed by 

American Airlines and Japan Airlines. I am responding on behalfof Secretary LaHood. 

As you mayknow, the applicants-meJ.1lbersofthe 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 ajoiht 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 of Transportation (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 of Justice's Antitrust Division following a thorough analysis of 

competitive factors. As this matter is now pending, 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 am placing a copy of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST-2010-_ asa contact outside the record in this matter. I appreciate your interest in 

this proceeding. 

Sincerely yours, 

o1~&z(/ Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary 


for Aviation and International Affairs· 

S I 0-100310-046 


CHRIS BENGE CAPITOL BUILDING 

SPEAKER PIiONS: (405) 5157·7340 

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March 3, 2010 

The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 


1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 


Washlilgton. DC 20590 


Docket DOT~OST~2010-'" 

. Dear Mr. Secretary, 

Thank you. for the oppOlttmity to express my support for the application for antitrust 

immunity and proposed joint business agreement filed by American and Japan Airlines. 

The proposed alliance between these two airlines is vital to compete effectively with the 

Star and SkyTeam alliances. This increased alliance competition will in turn enhance the 

benefits of the Department's Operi Skies policy by solidifying U.S. - Japan Open Skies, 

and by boosting international cooperation. 

I·encourage the Department ofTransportation to approve this. application as it would 

eriabte~.these airlines to wor~ closely together to deliver highly competitive air 

transportation services. Approv3J for AAJJAL alliance will have a positive impact on air 

travel by off~rjn,g,¥ustomers more services, scheduling and pricing option and will help to 

ensure that customers continue'to benefit from the competition afforded by three 

competitive air alliances. 

I urge you to quickly approve this application. 

Sincerely, 

.Chris 

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