DOT is out with its decision regarding Delta SEA-HND service which AA and HA had attempted to strip due large dormancy lag in DL's operation of the route.
Per the DOT decision, the department found that Delta should retain the daily slot pair for the benefit of consumer competition, however will subject the authority to "strengthened conditions and protective measures designed to ensure that Delta maintains a year-round daily service in the market."
Additionally, the DOT also selected AA for backup authority for its proposed LAX-HND service should DL not meet or accept the performance requirements attached to the authority.
The specific conditions added to the route authority are;
Any failure, without a Department-granted waiver, to perform a Seattle-Haneda flight, and any failure, without a Department-granted waiver, to perform a Haneda-Seattle flight, on each and every day of every week (7 days a week, 365 days a year), will constitute a violation of Delta’s Seattle-Haneda authority subject to enforcement.
Any failure,without a Department-granted waiver, to perform Seattle-Haneda flights,
and any failure,without a Department-granted waiver, to perform Haneda-Seattle flights,
on two days of any seven-day period (365 days a year) will constitute a default of
Delta’s Seattle-Haneda authority and that authority will automatically expire.