Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will soon mount direct flights to Chicago after Delta Air Lines Inc., the lone opposition to its proposed service, withdrew its appeal before the United States (US) government.

Delta said in an April 3 regulatory filing, seen by Manila Bulletin, that it is dropping its objection to PAL’s planned Chicago service following the Philippine government’s assurance that it will support the US carrier’s plans to mount direct flights to Manila by 2027.

Delta, one of America’s largest carriers, earlier asked the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to defer its decision on PAL’s request, raising concerns about barriers to obtaining the necessary slots at main gateway Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The airline argued that it would be unfair if the US DOT authorizes PAL to operate flights to Chicago while it has yet to secure adequate access to Manila, as this would further limit choices for passengers traveling directly between the Philippines and the US.

As reported by Manila Bulletin, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) assured Delta last month that it is ready to “give due course to and act favorably” on the carrier’s request. There is currently no pending application from Delta for any flight schedule or slot allocation at NAIA.

“In light of subsequent developments... Delta does not oppose a limited, time-bound exemption that allows the [US DOT] to assess market conditions and competitive effects on an interim basis,” the airline said.

As such, Delta said the US DOT should grant an exemption to PAL’s proposed service only on the condition that it be limited to a one-year term.

This is consistent with the agency’s approach to exemption authority “in similar circumstances where market conditions and reciprocal access are evolving.” For one, PAL’s service between Manila and Seattle currently operates under a one-year exemption.

“A one-year exemption would allow the [US DOT] to revisit this matter in the future if Delta is ultimately denied commercially viable access sufficient to launch its own contemplated Manila service,” said Delta.

Delta stressed that its appeal is not intended to delay PAL’s efforts to mount flights to Chicago, noting that it aligns with precedent and public interest.

Once the US DOT grants PAL’s request, the Lucio Tan-led airline said it is ready to launch flights between Manila and Chicago “as soon as authorized by the department to do so.”

Based on its application, PAL plans to launch the transpacific route during the summer schedule of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which runs from March to October.

The new route will widen PAL’s reach in North America, particularly in the Midwest, which is home to a large Filipino diaspora.

PAL currently operates flights to nine destinations in the region, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, and Toronto, as well as Honolulu, Guam, and Saipan in the Pacific.