TokyoTomo Travel Guide

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on May 7, local time, the distribution of four take-off and landing slots available per day for U.S. carriers on the Tokyo Haneda/U.S. routes. In the proposed decision, selected are Delta Air Lines (DL) for Los Angeles and Detroit routes, American Airlines (AA) for New York route and Hawaiian Airlines for Honolulu route. United Airlines (UA) applied for Haneda slot for a service to San Francisco and Continental Airlines (CO) for services to Newark and Guam, but without success.

Commenting on the proposed decision on Hawaiian Airlines, which currently does not operate the Japan route, DOT said that it would create new competition on the Japan-U.S. routes. Delta’s planned Los Angeles flight would serve the largest market from the west coast and mainland U.S. to Tokyo, continued DOT, adding that its planned Detroit flight would provide access to Haneda from a broad area in the central and eastern United States. Selecting American Airlines’ New York route would serve the second largest market between mainland U.S. and Tokyo, whilst it would also stimulate competition among airline alliances, emphasized the U.S. Department of Transportation.

According to DOT, airlines concerned can challenge the proposed decision within the period of ten days. As of 11 am, Japan time, on May 9, no official comments were issued either by United or Continental. The U.S. Department of Transport will give answers to objections, if any, within seven days after the comment period and, thereafter, will issue a final decision.

Source: Travel Vision

Travel Vision Inc. provides information on the travel industry in Japan via "Daily Travel Vision", a Japanese-language e-mail newsletter, and the "Travel Vision" website. There are nearly 110,000 people working in the Japanese travel industry, and Travel Vision is proud to be bringing travel news to more than 30,000 people through Daily Travel Vision.

Japan Airlines decided on February 9 to keep its partnership with American Airlines and remain in the Oneworld alliance. JAL’s public relations office explained that it is the best possible scenario for the airline to continue to reinforce its cooperative ties with its present alliance partner in order to stabilize and rejuvenate its business conditions and turn around the company without any further delay. In the days ahead, both JAL and American Airlines are expected to apply to the respective regulators for the anti-trust immunity (ATI) on the Pacific route. While American Airlines will file for ATI with the US authorities by mid-February, JAL plans to proceed with its filing “in consultation with the local authorities concerned.”

Following the decision by Japan Airline to stay with American Airlines, the airline (AA) issued a comment quoting Gerald Arpey, American Airlines’ Chairman and CEO, as emphasizing, “The decision this time is vitally important for both Japan Airlines and Japanese government and it is also the best possible scenario for JAL’s stakeholders, Japan’s own national interests and valued customers traveling between Japan and USA.” “American Airlines is looking forward to providing Japan Airlines with necessary support for the ongoing rehabilitation,” added Arpey. With regards to filing of the ATI, the anti-trust immunity, he mentioned that American Airlines will start to prepare for the applications within the next few days in coordination with JAL’s new management.

Meanwhile, Delta Airlines commented that it will continue to remain as the largest airline serving between USA and Asia, operating direct flights to 10 destinations in USA, nine in Asia and two in Micronesia from Tokyo Narita, which is its Asian hub. It expects the valued customers to continue to use its excellent route network to USA and Asia from Japan, added Delta.

Source: Travel Vision

Travel Vision Inc. provides information on the travel industry in Japan via "Daily Travel Vision", a Japanese-language e-mail newsletter, and the "Travel Vision" website. There are nearly 110,000 people working in the Japanese travel industry, and Travel Vision is proud to be bringing travel news to more than 30,000 people through Daily Travel Vision.

Today, Japan Airlines (JAL) announced the decision to strengthen its partnership with American Airlines (AA). The carriers, both members of the oneworld alliance, will jointly apply to the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) for the approval of antitrust immunity (ATI) on transpacific routes.

Upon receiving the approval from the relevant authorities, JAL and AA intend to enter a joint business venture which will enhance their scope of cooperation on the routes between the United States and Japan, through adjustments to their respective networks, flight schedules, and other business activities, allowing both carriers to better complement each other to develop and offer competitive products and quality service to their customers.

The JAL Group Chief Operating Officer and president, Mr. Masaru Onishi said on this occasion: “We have analyzed this issue in great detail, and we are excited at the prospects in terms of the convenience and benefits for our customers. We also firmly believe that the advantages of this development with American Airlines can strongly support JAL at a time when we are striving towards the revival of our business, which we are determined to achieve. We certainly look forward to a deeper, more mutually-beneficial relationship with our long-time partner.”

As JAL undergoes the process of reorganization, it will seize the opportunity presented by this partnership to strengthen its network and further improve its offerings. From hence forth, in addition to the joint business agreement with AA, JAL will also fortify its relationships with other partners in the oneworld alliance, so as to provide customers a comprehensive range of products and services, and become once again, the airline of customer’s choice.

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