DOT to grant U.S. airlines daytime flights to Tokyo’s Haneda airport

The U.S. Transportation Department this week initiated a proceeding to invite American air carriers to apply for available daytime flight slots at Tokyo’s downtown Haneda airport.    The U.S. Transportation Department this week initiated a proceeding to invite American air carriers to apply for available daytime flight slots at Tokyo’s downtown Haneda airport.
   DOT also proposed to temporarily allocate four daytime flight slots for Haneda to the four airlines currently limited to providing nighttime U.S.-Haneda services. Those carriers receiving these temporary allocations include American’s and Delta’s services from Los Angeles, Hawaiian’s service from Honolulu, and United’s service from San Francisco.
   On Feb. 18, U.S. and Japanese government officials concluded an amendment to the U.S.-Japan Open-Skies agreement. The amendment provides that, following an exchange of diplomatic notes, the four existing U.S.-carrier nighttime flights at Haneda will be transferred to daytime hours. In addition, one new daytime flight and one new nighttime flight will become available for U.S. carrier scheduled passenger services.
   DOT said it’s proposing temporary allocations to the incumbent carriers to “preserve a U.S. carrier presence at Haneda, while it conducts the allocation proceeding.” The department has proposed to allow carriers to use these temporary allocations through the 2016/2017 winter traffic season.
   Objections to DOT’s proposed temporary allocations are due by March 29. If objections are filed, answers will be due April 5. Applications for the longer-term allocation of U.S.-Haneda daytime flights are due by April 12, DOT said.