HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A lack of interest in nighttime flights from Hawaii to Haneda is good news for Guam, as it opens up the possibility of a new market from Japan.
United Airlines’ application to open a new Guam-Haneda-Guam route is pending final award from the U.S Department of Transportation, following Hawaiian Air underutilizing the slots.
“On Jan. 26, Hawaiian informed the department that it will return the nighttime slot which it had to serve Haneda from Honolulu (4 times per week) and Kona (3 times per week) effective April 2,” United said in its application to DOT.
As a result of the development, for the first time in Guam’s history, United Airlines will offer the Guam-Haneda-Guam route seven days a week, tentatively effective May 1, according to United.
“United reiterates that for the proposed summer schedule, United flight UA849 will depart Guam at (7 p.m.) and arrive at Haneda at (10 p.m.) the same day. On the return, flight UA849 will depart Haneda at (11:55 p.m.) and arrive at Guam at (4:45 a.m.) the next day,” the application said.
Winter schedules for UA849 flight are similar, with a ten-minute difference in departure from Guam and a five-minute difference in arrivals to Guam on the return flight, United said.
The new routes are dependent on the final award from DOT, according to United.
“United urges the department to issue a final order awarding the nighttime-only slot to United as soon as possible. Grant of United’s uncontested application is consistent with longstanding department practice and United asserts there is no need to expend more government resources given the extensive public record already on file, including local Guam government support, and lack of interest in this slot pair by any other party. An award of United’s application is also consistent with public interest, as it will ensure that the public benefits of United’s Guam-Haneda service can accrue as soon as feasible,” the airline said in its application.
The application to DOT renews a previous application that DOT dismissed without prejudice last year, when it allowed Hawaiian Air to maintain its slots. The dismissal was made with the note “that if an opportunity becomes available for any reason, noted will be free to submit its application.”
The Guam Visitors Bureau stated in November 2023 that the Haneda route five days a week would add 3,540 seats monthly with 20 new flights, which equates to 42,480 seats annually with 240 new flights.
Haneda flights to Guam improve convenience of access by 50% for the outbound market in Japan and benefits the consumers in terms of time and cost savings in airport transfers versus Narita, GVB said.
Post files noted that additional access would improve Guam’s competitive posture with nearby Asian destinations.
A United Airlines airplane is seen on the A.B. Won Pat International Airport runway in Tamuning on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.
