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, 2012 

 
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. 

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 June 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 allocated for Atlanta-Shanghai service. With the 
Motion 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 3rd 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