U.S.Departmentof Transportation Office oftheSecretary ofTransportation


### Ms. Pamela Witherspoon Vice President, Global Travel Services Universal Music Group 2220 Colorado Avenue Santa Monica, CA90404 Dear Ms. Witherspoon: Assistant Secretary 

## APR SO 2013 1200 NewJer5ey Avenue, SE Wa$hington, DC 20590

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### Thank you for your letter ofFebruary 15, 2013, supportingthe application for antitrust immunity filed by AirFrance, Alitalia, Delta, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. TheSecretary has asked that I respond to your letter directly. As you may know, Delta and Virgin Atlantic are seeking antitrust immunity primarily to launch ajointventure covering all oftheir flights between North America and the United Kingdom. Delta and Virgin Atlantic are proposing to cooperate with Air France, Alitalia, and KLM aspart ofthe newjointventure. 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. Decisions onthe application are made in consultationwith the U.S. DepartmentofJustice's Antitrust Division following a thorough analysis ofcompetitive factors. Asthis matter is now pending, I hope you understand that I cannot commentonthe merits ofthe application. I can assure you, however, that DOT will give full and fair considerationto the application as well as to any comments filed in the docket. As is ournormal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-2013-0068 as a contactoutsidethe record in this matter. 1appreciate your interestin this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

# 2/~i~Jltvil Susan 

### L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International AffairsUNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary United States Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Delta Air Unes and Virgin Atlantic Dear Secretary LaHood: Universal Music Group Is located In Santa Monica, CA. We are wnting in support ofthe application by Delta Air Unes and Virgin Atlantic for antitrust immunity for the two carriers to form a jointventure for North America- U.K. servtce. London Is the most importanttransatlantiC destination for 

## u.s. passengers/ and london is the most important

### intemationat business route fur our company. The proposed jointventure will allow Delta and Virgin Atlantic to offer a more comprehensive and competitive alternative which 

### will benefit business travelers who desire higher service levels and schedule flexibility. The Delta
- VIrgin Atlantic partnership will allow both carriers to offer a greatly expanded network at London's Heathrow airport whtch Is the preferred airport fOr business travelers. The joint venture also will benefit our company by providing access to a broader network, improved connectivity and convenient booking options. For these reasons, we urge you to approve the application for antitrust lmmuntty between Delta and Virgin Atlantic. The new jOint venture will be a great beoeflt to ourcompany/ and 

### will be a positive development in providing improved service and competitive alternatives in the London travel market. Sincerely,

Pamela Witherspoon Vice President, Global Travel Services Universal Music Group

2220 COLORADO AVENUE SANTA MONICA CA 90404 TEL 310 865 5000 www.umusk.com
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