Originally Posted by
bk42
NW's 5th freedom rights include all of Japan, not just NRT. As far as China slots go, I'm not sure.
Precisely, NW can use their 5th freedom rights assuming slot availability anywhere in Japan in theory using NGO, KIX or even HND. However what's not clear is what authority does NW need or already have (e.g. those that have been used for cargo) to use to go into China or elsewhere. If NW has the rights from China to Japan and onto the Conus however NRT is slot constrained, then NW could use their 5th freedom to coordinate (e.g. NGO or KIX) flights on a smaller scale than NRT, well, at least in theory that's the concept.
-H