Tokyo Haneda remains top choice for U.S. business travelers

The popular Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, near downtown Tokyo, continues to be top choice for most business travelers from the United States. Considering its popularity, leading U.S. carriers have been granted permission by Japanese officials recently for operating five daily daytime routes. Media reports said that the first four daytime slots are likely to be allocated to incumbents, which had already served Tokyo Haneda Airport at night between Hawaii and the West Coast. However, stiff competition is awaited to grab one daytime slot.

According to the reports, American Airlines remain ahead in competition to grab the remaining daytime slot with its proposed Tokyo Haneda-Dallas Fort/Worth route. The airline contends that it is ready to offer most connections between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), and thus would be reaching most travelers. It also argued that the flourishing Japanese business sector at DFW would greatly benefit with the flights services. It may be noted that North American headquarters of renowned Toyota Motors is at Plano. Apart from this regional headquarters or major operations of over 160 other Japanese companies are based at Dallas/Fort Worth. Moreover, Dallas/Fort Worth would be the only Tokyo Haneda nonstop route from the South, providing access to many parts of the United States as well as Latin America.

The decision to allocate the remaining daytime slot would be taken within the next few months by the U.S. Department of Transportation after assessing which route would be the most beneficial for the people. Among the major key factors to be considered would be as to which flight would indeed be creating more competition. Delta Air Lines has also expressed its desire to launch flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Tokyo Haneda. The airline strongly argued that Minneapolis-St. Paul is a better option in comparison to DFW. Delta Air Lines has argued that United Airlines and American Airlines have a major presence in Tokyo Haneda, and therefore it should also be given opportunity to serve Haneda.