The US department of transportation has tentatively awarded a quartet of US airlines new daytime flying slots to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
Airlines have been jostling for the prized slots since Japan made extra daytime flights available to the US market.
Delta Air Lines was awarded five of the six flights it requested – from Atlanta, Detroit, Honolulu, Portland and Seattle.
"This preliminary order demonstrates the DOT’s commitment to encouraging competition and providing more choice for customers," said Delta executive vice president Steve Sear.
United Airlines receive the OK for four more flights from Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Newark and Washington Dulles.
American Airlines was granted two slots and Hawaiian Airlines one, which will be used for an extra daily round trip flight to Haneda from Honolulu.
The 12 additional slots to Haneda will allow the airlines to increase capacity in time for next year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Not all the new flights will be new services. Some will come by shifting existing services from Tokyo Narita Airport, which is located significantly further away from downtown Tokyo.
The DOT’s tentative allocation will be confirmed in the coming weeks pending a short period allowing for any objections to be filed.
