Originally Posted by
SPN Lifer
This is very sad news indeed for those in the Mariana Islands wanting to connect.
Did HA have the GUM-HND route authority previously? Do you have a DOT link for this docket? Thank you.
DOT-OST-2019-0014-0110_attachment_1.pdf
This is also a link directly to DOT dismissal of UA's request.
The route authorities HA have not been operating under the waiver have been pretty extensive, all are from Hawaii airports to HND. Nothing from GUM. On October 29 HA were supposed to resume all HND flights but their schedules show a very slow resumption, some as low as once a week.
DL tried this years ago wanting to delay SEA-HND by flying it once every 28 days. Other airlines cried foul. Eventually DOT told DL to fly it daily or it would be returned to the pool and all airlines could bid for it.
UA said they will use any route authority they can get immediately and fully to fly GUM-HND from whatever HA is not going to use. Both HA and UA are acting in their own self interest, like all companies saying their own self interests completely align with the interests of the public.
I have mixed thoughts on GUM-HND. I totally understand why UA is asking for this but I have a niggling concern that this means no resumption of GUM service to other cities in Japan since HND offers so many connections. I would like to see more service for GUM and SPN but I guess this is not meant to be. At least for now.