U.S. Department· Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey IIvenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 ofTransportation 

### APR 0 9 

### 2010 Office ofthe Secretory ofTransportation

The Honorable Antonio 

### R. Villaraigosa MayorofLos Angeles
. Los Angeles, CA 90012 DearMayorVillaraigosa: 

### ;; Thank youfor your letter to Secretary**LaHood~** supporting the application for antitrust immunity

filed byAllNippon Airways, United AirLines; and Continental Airlines. I am responding on behalfofthe Secretary.
. As you mayknow, the applicants-members ofthe Star Alliance-are seeking antitrust immunity to closely coordinate flights between the United States and Asia. Accordingto the application, the alliance partners plan to launch ajointventure for conveyance oftranspacific 

### traffic. The application is administered in a public docket, which ensures that interestedparties have the opportunityto comment. The U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) will evaluate the application according to rigorous statutory standards, beginning with a review oftherecord to determineifit is substantially complete. Decisions onthe application are made in consultation withtheU.S. Department ofJustice's Antitrust Divisionfollowing 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 inthe docket. As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response inDocket DOT-OST-2010-0059 as a contact outside the record inthis matter. I appreciate your interest in this proceeding. Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

# . ANTONIO 

### R. VILLARAIGOSA MAYOR 

### December 23, 2009 The Honorable Raymond H. LaHood Secretary United States Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E

.

.:. Washington I 

### D.C. 20590 Re: UnitedJContinentaUAIi Nippon Antitrust Immunity Request Dear Secretary LaHood: I am writing in support ofthe antitrust immunity (ATI) application 

### filed by United Airlines, Continental and All Nippon Airways (ANA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT approval will enable these airlines to deliver the competitive flight

.schedules, fares and services consumers demand.

Approval ofthis application will help to ensure that the United States realizes the benefits ofthe recent Open Skies aviation agreement between the governments of the United States and Japan, which will not go into effect unless and until DOT grants the ATI request. Establishing Open Skies with Japan is an enormous achievement and will produce significant benefits for consumers, competition and airline employees. It will provide travelers more airline seats, destinations, routings, schedules and prices. In this challenging economic environment, airlines need to pursue all opportunities to allow them and the communities they serve to stay competitive in an increasingly g!obal marketplace. This immunity requestwill help preserve and enhance service to communities throughout the United States.

Mayor ARV:jb

200 NORTH SPRING STREET • Los Al\:GELBS, CALIFORNIA 90012



## ..e® PHONE: (213) 978-0600 • FAX: (213) 978-0750, EMAIL: MAYOR@LACITY.ORG