The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has requested applications from seven eligible carriers for ten slot exemptions for service to Washington National from domestic airports within or beyond the 1,250-mile (2,011 kilometer) perimeter.
The applications must be filed by July 8 and to comment on the applications by July 17. The DOT will grant the ten slot exemptions in two categories: eight exemptions, or four round trips, for incumbent carriers qualifying as non-limited incumbent carriers, which are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, with the two remaining exemptions, or one round trip, reserved for limited incumbent carriers (Alaska Airlines and Air Canada).
In its filing, the DOT stated that each carrier may be awarded up to two exemptions or one round trip. Air Canada is allowed to be considered as a limited incumbent carrier due to the special rules applying for Washington National, which state that the Secretary shall consider applications from foreign air carriers that are certificated by the government of Canada "if such consideration is required by the bilateral aviation agreement" between both countries. Nonetheless, the DOT established that "the slot exemptions be used only to provide service to U.S. domestic airports."
American Airlines had previously shown interest in obtaining one of the Washington National slots to launch flights to and from San Antonio International. Similarly, Alaska Airlines was looking for a slot to initiate service from San Diego International; and Delta Air Lines would like to launch a route from Seattle Tacoma International. Southwest is reportedly eyeing flights from Las Vegas Harry Reid, while JetBlue intends to apply to operate a second daily flight to San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin. United Airlines has not yet disclosed its interest in applying.
ch-aviation has reached out to United Airlines for comment.
Spirit Airlines to apply
Meanwhile, even though it was not designated as such, Spirit Airlines (NK, Fort Lauderdale International) intends to apply for the two limited incumbent slot exemptions. It did not disclose which routes it is interested in operating.
“Under applicable law, Spirit qualifies as a ‘limited incumbent’ – and may be the only carrier qualifying under that category,” it said in a statement, adding it holds four permanent slots at DCA, obtained through an FAA-administered lottery in 2003.
Additionally, Spirit Airlines argued that neither Alaska nor Air Canada should be considered limited incumbent carriers. It said that Alaska Airlines’ codeshare agreement with American Airlines and Air Canada’s foreign status should prohibit both companies from qualifying.
