LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mayor Antonio R.
Villaraigosa today cheered the recent announcement by the U.S.
Department of Transportation that Delta Airlines has been granted
authority to operate daily nonstop service between Tokyo
International Airport, also known as Haneda Airport, and Los Angeles
and Detroit. Haneda is considered Tokyo's preferred business airport
for its convenient location in Central Tokyo. The new service, which
is expected to begin before the end of this year, is expected to
generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually in economic
activity in Southern California.
"We thank Secretary Ray LaHood and his team at the DOT for this
decision, which will increase competition and enhance customer
benefits on flights between the United States and Haneda. I am very
proud that the USDOT chose Los Angeles as the U.S. West Coast
gateway for this much sought-after, new route," said Mayor
Villaraigosa. "The nonstop route between LAX and Tokyo-Haneda will
strengthen business, tourism and cultural ties with one of the most
desirable cities in Asia.
"Gaining new and increased international service at LAX and
LA/Ontario International Airport is a top priority for me because of
the substantial contribution these flights make to the economy of
Southern California," the Mayor added. "Delta's nonstop service to
Haneda is a prime example of the type of air service we want to
attract to our airports."
With its new flights between Haneda and LAX, Delta will service
the largest mainland U.S.-Tokyo market, as well as provide one-stop
service for Delta customers in 18 U.S. cities. Delta's new Haneda
service would complement the airline's existing service between
Tokyo's Narita Airport and 11 U.S. cities, including one daily
flight to/from Los Angeles.
According to a study by the Los Angeles Economic Development
Corporation, one average daily, round-trip, transoceanic flight of
wide-body aircraft to/from LAX generates $623 million in economic
output annually, and sustains 3,120 direct and indirect jobs in
Southern California with annual wages of $156 million.
The DOT's decision follows last month's announcement by Alitalia
that it would resume nonstop service between LAX and Rome five times
a week beginning June 5, 2010. With the launch of L.A.-Rome,
Alitalia will be the only airline to offer nonstop flights to Italy
from the U.S. West Coast.
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