Originally Posted by
DA201
Senators/representatives from Oregon, Minnesota, Detroit, and Georgia have all pushed for the DOT to give DL at least the same amount of slots as everyone else, if not more, so they can retain service to Tokyo. And not having a hub in Tokyo goes against AA. Because they are not as big of a players in the Tokyo-USA market, the other airlines argue they shouldn't get as many slots. They say more current Tokyo flights=more Haneda slots, so the ratio of Haneda:Narita flights is similar.
1. The only entity claiming these HND slot authorities would jeapordize Tokyo service is Delta. That's it. So it's a false narrative. They've gone so far as to say they would have to cancel MSP-NRT service. But why? Who's forcing them to make that decision?
2. An airline saying "we have more service than they do" doesn't carry much weight. Giving the airlines with a larger Tokyo market share an even larger market share goes against the notion of fair competition. When AA/US had to relinquish slot pairs at DCA and LGA, it was under the condition that they be awarded to carriers with a smaller presence at those airports. And that the bigger carriers would be excluded.
3. I'm sure lawmakers from the states where AA has a large presence are also making phone calls. And FYI, the person who is the head of the DOT is the former mayor of Charlotte. You know, the place where AA has it's second largest hub.