Delta Air Lines' our-way-or-no-way attitude risks subverting US & Japan interests on Haneda flights

Delta Air Lines, more than any other carrier, has successfully used aeropolitical lobbying to bring it closer to partners and positively grow its business. Delta, via predecessor Northwest Airlines, formed the first ATI JV, with KLM.

More recently, Delta pressured the approval of a JV with Aeromexico, despite the absence of US-Mexico open skies. Delta has sought to grow closer to China Eastern Airlines by taking a stake that remains questionable in some corners of the Chinese government. Delta is the only North American carrier participating in JVs with airlines strong in both London Heathrow (Virgin Atlantic) and continental Europe (AF-KLM). Through other equity stakes Delta has displayed a cooperative attitude, gaining a favourable position on scarce slots in many of these markets, some of which are alleged to be rife with corruption.

In these examples Delta has emerged stronger and for the better, but where Delta cannot win, or its competitors stand to gain more, Delta can turn aggressive. This is now on display with the latest round of talks between the US and Japan over the first daytime slots for US airlines at Tokyo Haneda Airport. Delta rejects the few slots being offered as ending in a piecemeal result; Delta wants to move its entire Narita operation to Haneda, which at present numbers would require 14 slot pairs, a number so large it cannot even form a negotiating point. Unless Delta becomes reasonable, or is quietened, it is possible that no airlines may benefit.