DELTA AIRLINES TO FLY LAX-HANEDA TOKYO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; NEW INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM TOKYO’S PREFERRED BUSINESS AIRPORT TO GENERATE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECONOMY

            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 Angelesas 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 NaritaAirport 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.