BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C.

Motion of

DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
for start-up date extension and route flexibility
(7 U.S.-China frequencies) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Docket DOT-OST-2010-0285

MOTION OF DELTA AIR LINES, INC.

Communications with respect to this document should be addressed to:

Alexander Van der Bellen Managing Director – Government Affairs & Associate General Counsel Jeff Morgan Regional Director – Government Affairs DELTA AIR LINES, INC. 1212 New York Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 842-4184 sascha.vanderbellen@delta.com

May 3, 2012BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C.

Motion of

DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
for start-up date extension and route flexibility
(7 U.S.-China frequencies) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Docket DOT-OST-2010-0285

MOTION OF DELTA AIR LINES, INC.

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”) hereby respectfully requests an extension of the
start-up date with respect to seven (7) U.S.-China frequencies originally allocated in this
docket for Tokyo-Guangzhou service from J une 1, 2012 to June 1, 2013. Delta further
requests the flexibility to use these seven frequencies on any U.S.-China route where
Delta holds underlying route authority.
In support of this Motion, Delta states the following:
1. By NOAT November 24, 2010, Delta was allocated, inter alia , seven U.S.-
China frequencies for Tokyo-Guangzhou service. On August 29, 2011, the Department

approved a subsequent request by Delta to delay the start-up of Tokyo-Guangzhou
service until June 1, 2012. Delta requests a further start-up extension for these seven
frequencies from June 1, 2012 to June 1, 2013, together with the flexibility to use these
seven frequencies on any authorized U.S.-China route.
2. There is a large surplus of U.S.-China combination frequencies.
Contemporaneous with this motion, Delta is filing a letter with the Department returning
seven additional frequencies previously allocate d for Atlanta-Shanghai service. With theMotion of Delta Page 2
return of these frequencies, there will be 37 combination frequencies available in the

unallocated pool.
3. Grant of this request for a start-up extension and route flexibility is in the
public interest. Developing and expanding Delta’s international route network is a
cornerstone of Delta’s business strategy, and China is one of world’s most important
international markets. However, in the face of challenging economic conditions, Delta
does not plan to commence Tokyo-Guangzhou service in 2012. Grant of the requested
start-up date extension and route flexibility will permit Delta to introduce additional China
service as soon as market conditions permit. Grant of the requested relief will not
prejudice any other U.S. carrier because, as noted, there will be 37 frequencies available

in the unallocated pool.
Accordingly, the Department should grant this Motion and the specific relief
specified above.
Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________ Alexander Van der Bellen Managing Director, Government Affairs & Associate General Counsel DELTA AIR LINES, INC.CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
A copy of the foregoing Motion has been served this 3 rd day of May, 2012, upon the following persons via email:

carl.nelson@aa.com
dan.weiss@united.com jonathan.linde@united.com oracio.marquez@united.com howard.kass@usairways.com benjamin.slocum@usairways.com keith.glatz@dot.gov esta.rosenberg@dot.gov
info@airlineinfo.com