American Airlines applies to launch daily non-stop flights to Haneda

American Airlines has announced that it has formally applied for approval to launch daily, year-round, non-stop services between Los Angeles International Airport and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. As per a bilateral agreement between the US and Japan, flights into Tokyo’s second airport is strictly regulated, with US carriers restricted to a combined total of four daily roundtrip services to Haneda. Currently, these slots are filled by Delta Air Lines (Los Angeles and Seattle), Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu), and United (San Francisco). Citing a need for competition, AA is looking to take over the Seattle slot held by Delta, which is only operated on a seasonal basis, and provide a new service to Haneda from its hub in Los Angeles. "With only four authorized daily flights for U.S. airlines between Haneda and the United States, it is imperative that American be allowed to compete," said AA president Scott Kirby. "We are the only U.S. global network carrier without the authority to operate our own aircraft at Haneda. American's proposed Los Angeles-Haneda service will increase competition in the Haneda market and make the most of underutilised operating rights by giving millions of consumers and shippers a new, viable travel option to Haneda that they don't have today." For more information, visit aa.com Clement Huang