New agreement allows daytime landing slots at Tokyo Haneda

The increase is expected to boost the appeal of Japan’s domestic hub airport Haneda, as passengers traveling to and from the East Coast need to use Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture at present. “We offer our honest thanks to Secretary Kerry, Under Secretary Novelli, Secretary Foxx, Assistant Secretary Kurland and their teams for their leadership and commitment to achieving this deal”.

A4A noted that the agreement is fully consistent with decades of US global aviation policy and commended USA government negotiators for securing additional daytime and nighttime operations to Haneda Airport for USA carriers and their customers.

The decision on which carriers are to get the slots will be made by May. The new proposal moves them to daytime and adds one more slot, for nighttime.

United’s partnership with All Nippon Airways and American’s with Japan Airlines give each an advantage even if Delta regains a Haneda slot.

“It’s important for our customers to have convenient access to downtown Tokyo during the day, and this agreement also allows for desirable arrival and departure times in the USA for Haneda service”, Kirby said.

Delta is the only North American carrier participating in JVs with airlines strong in both London Heathrow (Virgin Atlantic) and continental Europe (AF-KLM).

In the coming months, air carriers will compete for the right to sponsor the two new flights added as part of Thursday’s announcement.

Transport Minister Ishii said Japan’s two busiest airports can reinforce each other. Narita is newer and bigger, but it is also farther from town.

“Delta is committed to doing our best to maintain the viability of our current Asian route structure and our Narita hub for as long as possible, recognizing that commercial impacts are imminent”, said Peter Carter, Delta’s executive vice president and chief legal officer, in a statement.

Delta, however, said it is “deeply disappointed with the final agreement reached today between the USA and Japanese governments to incrementally open the Tokyo-Haneda airport”.