Seattle will keep its daily flight to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, as a result of efforts by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02. Larsen led the Washington state delegation in pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) earlier this year to protect Seattle’s daily service to Haneda. DOT announced today that it is rejecting petitions by competing airlines to move service out of Seattle, and that Delta will be permitted to continue the daily Seattle-Haneda service.

“The Puget Sound region is an industry hub for everything from aerospace to retail, and we are a gateway to Asia for the rest of the country. The daily flight between Seattle and Haneda facilitates both business and tourism, which is great news for our local economy.

“I am pleased DOT recognizes the many benefits the Seattle-Haneda flight provides for travelers and for our country’s engagement with Asia,” Larsen said.

The U.S. has limited flight slots available at Haneda each day.  DOT determined in 2013 that Seattle was the best use of one daily slot to serve U.S. travelers. Today’s announcement reaffirms that decision.

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