Delta applies for HND-SEA/LAX/HNL/DTW
 

I believe there are four HND-USA slots for US carriers open due to Open Skies, with the stipulations of arrivals between 10p and midnight, and departures between midnight and 7 a.m.

That being said, DL has applied for:

HND-SEA:
Lv SEA 725p, Ar HND 1000p+1
Lv HND 1200a, Ar SEA 510p
Daily A330-300 service

HND-LAX:
Lv LAX 630p, Ar HND 1000p+1
Lv HND 1200a, Ar LAX 630p
Daily 747 service

HND-HNL:
Lv HNL 700p, Ar HND 1200a+1
Lv HND 1200a, Ar HNL 1200p
Daily 747 service

HND-DTW:
Lv DTW 810p, Ar HND 1000p+1
Lv HND 700a, Ar DTW 545a
Daily 747 service

US city times shift slightly for winter schedules (departure/arrival times at HND remain unchanged).

http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=18&item=123

Quite aggressive of Delta. Doubt they'll get all.

United Airlines Seeks to Serve Haneda Airport; Service to Downtown Tokyo Builds on Company's Strong Asia Network
UA from SFO

Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia
CO from EWR, CS from GUM

So they want all four (4) slots, huh?

DOT should award them the most obscure one, SEA-HND, for asking for four.

HA has applied for two daily flights on HNL-HND as well (both leaving within ten minutes of each other). Would start off as 767-300s, eventually going to A330-200s when they start arriving on property.

I'd wager Hawaiian is likely to get one pair of slots (as a new entrant to Japan); that would weaken the viability of Delta's HND-HNL application significantly.

These arrival timed in HND allow for connections to SIN/BKK that arrive at a less ungodly time. Arriving around midnight is not good time.

Does DL have that many 747's available?

These flights would be geared toward Tokyo bound travelers - the NRT hub with connections would remain.

Even for other airline connections, Haneda is very limited - it's primarily a domestic airport with some very limited international service to China and South Korea.

My guess is they realize that they are only going to get two of those slots. There is some slack in the 747 schedule as well (some being used for charters), and they could likely pick up some 777s to replace some 747 flying currently (on routes such as JFK-TLV and JFK-NRT).

Open skies but not quiet? A proper open skies agreement does not limit the number of slots. Airlines should be able to buy slots off other airlines. Are thehre lots of flights arriving/departing in the middle of the night? DL, CO, UA, AA< let them all fly to HND.

True. HND is better for those travelling to Tokyo. But if a connection can be made to arrive in SIN at 5:00 a.m. instead of 1:00 a.m. with a SIN departure of 10:00 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m., I will go for that. I hate to waste two nights of hotel due to the current timings.

For whatever reason, HND somehow got some rules in place to keep it from a full Open Skies. I don't think there are a lot of constraints in the middle of the night, but as part of the US/Japan bilateral, flights to/from the US could only operate between 1000p and 700a, with no flights departing to the Lower 48 before midnight. Thus why you see the less-than-ideal flight times for everyone seeking HND access.

FWIW, AA has also gotten its application in now (today was the deadline) - they've applied for JFK-HND and LAX-HND, expressing a preference for JFK-HND if they can only get one slot.

The DOT decision criteria aren't particularly specific, but vengeance due to added paperwork doesn't appear in the outline.

http://www.regulations.gov/search/Re...00006480a841e3

Our principal objective in this proceeding will be to maximize the public benefits that will result from introducing U.S.-flag carrier service in the U.S.-Haneda market. In this regard, we will consider which applicant or applicants3
will most likely offer and maintain service that best meets the needs of the traveling and shipping public. We will also consider the effects of the applicants’ service proposals on the overall competitive environment, including effects on the market structure and on competition in the U.S.-Japan market. In addition, we will consider other factors historically used for carrier selection, where relevant.

That's very innovative open skies. Allow them to fly but force them into uncompetitive slots. :) Payback time for NW from 60 years ago. ;)
The restriction on late night/early a.m. arrivals departures at NRT is due to noise, as far as I know. Won;t noise be a bigger issue for HND?

Every airport can't have flights depart at choice times only. It would be more efficient in the long run to open the airports round the clock and let the airlines and the passengers decide the times. If it's cheaper to land and depart around midnight at their hub, airlines don;t have to choose prime time slots.

It's Open Skies*

*(hey there are restrictions on markets and when/where you can fly in some cases, but putting all that mumble-jumble on a PR headline just isn't good :D)