Was anyone else confused by just what Mr. Anderson is referring to?
I mean, the DOT stated they had reached an "Open Skies" deal with Japan in December 2009.
This article helps clear things up:
Originally Posted by Routes News
Richard Anderson, CEO of Delta Air Lines, is after slots at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to enable a move from Narita.
At a press conference in Tokyo today, Anderson accused Japan of unfairly favouring local carriers that can fly from Haneda (HND).
Haneda is only 16km from the city, while Narita (NRT) is about 68km away, which hands an advantage to airlines such as JAL and ANA, especially for business travel, he said.
"The government is engaging in protectionism," he reportedly told the news conference.
Delta wants 25 slots at Haneda, said Anderson.
Expansion work, which would add daytime slots for long-haul flights at Haneda, is due to complete in March 2014.
Currently, Delta operates 22 flights a day at Narita and also flies from Haneda to Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA), although at timings considered unsuited for business travellers.
US carriers including Delta and American Airlines were given a few slots at Haneda in 2010 under an easing of air traffic restrictions between the US and Japan.
But Anderson called for further liberalisation.
"We look forward to the Japanese government opening up the skies, because we do not have Open Skies in Japan right now," he reportedly said.