AA Will Keep Tokyo Haneda Route
American Airlines retained the right to operate a Los Angeles-Tokyo Haneda service after the U.S. Transportation Department rejected Delta Air Lines’ claim that its rival didn’t launch service quickly enough.
The two carriers have been wrangling over the Haneda rights for nearly a year. There are only four U.S.-Haneda routes, and Delta gave up one of them to American in June. But in October, Delta told the DOT that American should give up the route because it hadn’t started service within 60 days.
The DOT said American has until March 27 to launch the service. American has said it plans to begin daily service on Feb. 11.
Haneda is the preferred airport for many business travelers because it is closer to the city than Narita.
-- Michele McDonald