Delta loses Haneda tussle

American Airlines has kept its licence to operate a new daily service on the important business route between Los Angeles and Haneda Airport in Japan despite objections from its main rival, Delta. 

American said it would start flying the route on 11 February. The launch had been delayed while the carrier obtained arrival and departure times from Haneda. Delta had said American’s right to fly the route should be revoked because American failed to begin service quickly enough.

Many business travellers prefer to fly into Haneda because it is closer to Tokyo than Narita International Airport. The LA leg is one of only four existing routes between the US and the Japanese airport, a situation caused by Japan restricting landing rights for US carriers.

Delta held rights to one of those routes, between Seattle and Haneda, but American asked for it to be revoked because it was not being fully used. Delta later gave up the route after being told it could keep it only if it offered daily service.    www.aa.com    www.delta.com

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