U.S. and Japanese business travel may be easier

U.S. and Japanese business travel may be easier after Delta Air Lines Inc., American Airlines and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. won routes to Tokyo’s Haneda airport, favored by executives flying to the capital.

The U.S. Transportation Department approved four flights for the carriers yesterday while UAL Corp.’s United Airlines and Continental Airlines Inc., which announced a plan to merge this week, were denied the Haneda flights they sought.

Japan-U.S. treaties since 1978 have restricted U.S. carriers to serving Narita Airport, the Japanese capital’s main international airport, about 44 miles (71 kilometers) east of the city by car. A draft “Open Skies” agreement reached in December permits four daily U.S.-Japan round trips at Haneda, 10 miles south of the city, starting in October.

Delta’s two daily Haneda flights will connect Los Angeles and Detroit, AMR Corp.’s American will fly to and from New York, and Hawaiian will link Honolulu, the department said in granting the first U.S. flights to the airport in 32 years.

“Haneda is the busiest airport in Asia and the fourth busiest airport in the world,” Will Ris, an American senior vice president, said in a statement. “It is in the public’s best interest that New York is first in line.” American, the world’s second-largest carrier, is based in Fort Worth, Texas.

The preliminary decision is subject to final approval by the countries under the “Open Skies” treaty. United didn’t comment.
Continental, which applied with partner Continental Micronesia, was “disappointed,” spokeswoman Mary Clark said an e-mailed statement. “We believe we presented strong cases that would benefit our customers, communities and passengers,” she said.