Assistant Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation March 25, 2010 Office 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 behalf of Secretary LaHood.

As 

### you may know, 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 if it 

### 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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## <llIR 131DS 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 of Transportation 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,

# a~ .Chris Benge. .;',.;J'.:. 

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