DOT proposal would let Delta keep Seattle-to-Tokyo route

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled a proposal on Friday that would permit Delta Air Lines to retain its authority to provide daily service between Seattle and Tokyo’s downtown Haneda Airport.

The proposal would allow Delta to keep the route provided that it maintains daily service in the Seattle market year-round.

In late 2014, DOT began this proceeding after learning that Delta planned extensive winter-season cutbacks for its Seattle-to-Haneda service. Delta would operate the service for approximately one week every 90 days between October 2014 and March 2015, rather than the daily service it had proposed after winning the route in a 2013 selection proceeding that DOT conducted.

Citing Delta’s failure to serve the proposed route, American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines each submitted proposals to replace Delta and committed to operating daily flights from Haneda Airport to Los Angeles and Kona, Hawaii.

DOT determined that it was in the public interest to allow Delta to keep the Seattle-to-Haneda route. However, any failure by Delta to operate any Seattle-to-Haneda flight year-round would constitute a violation of its authority. Additionally, if Delta fails to provide Seattle-to-Haneda service on two days of any seven-day period, it would result in the immediate loss of Delta’s authority over the route.

Objections to the proposal are due by April 6 at www.regulations.gov.