United, Continental, ANA apply for transpacific immunity
Thursday December 24, 2009
As expected, United Airlines, Continental Airlines and ANA filed an application with the US Dept. of Transportation for antitrust immunity across their combined transpacific network, which the carriers argued would generate "substantial service and pricing benefits for consumers."
The application was made possible by the US-Japan open skies agreement reached two weeks ago, implementation of which is contingent upon ATI approval.
"This joint venture. . .will significantly enhance our ability to serve customers in Japan and throughout Asia and offer new choice and convenience," United Chairman and CEO Glenn Tilton said, while ANA President and CEO Shinichiro Ito said the arrangement would allow ANA "to strengthen our transpacific network and improve our services."
United serves Tokyo Narita from Chicago O'Hare, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington Dulles and flies to Osaka Kansai from SFO. CO serves NRT from Houston Intercontinental and Newark, while ANA flies to ORD, HNL, LAX, SFO, IAD and New York JFK.
United and Continental received immunity for a transatlantic JV with Lufthansa and Air Canada in July.
by Brian Straus
ATWOnline
Thursday December 24, 2009
As expected, United Airlines, Continental Airlines and ANA filed an application with the US Dept. of Transportation for antitrust immunity across their combined transpacific network, which the carriers argued would generate "substantial service and pricing benefits for consumers."
The application was made possible by the US-Japan open skies agreement reached two weeks ago, implementation of which is contingent upon ATI approval.
"This joint venture. . .will significantly enhance our ability to serve customers in Japan and throughout Asia and offer new choice and convenience," United Chairman and CEO Glenn Tilton said, while ANA President and CEO Shinichiro Ito said the arrangement would allow ANA "to strengthen our transpacific network and improve our services."
United serves Tokyo Narita from Chicago O'Hare, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington Dulles and flies to Osaka Kansai from SFO. CO serves NRT from Houston Intercontinental and Newark, while ANA flies to ORD, HNL, LAX, SFO, IAD and New York JFK.
United and Continental received immunity for a transatlantic JV with Lufthansa and Air Canada in July.
by Brian Straus
ATWOnline