Filipinos will soon be able to fly directly from Manila to Chicago after the United States (US) government approved flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) request to operate the new transpacific service.

In a notice of action dated April 9, seen by Manila Bulletin, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) granted PAL exemption authority to mount direct flights from Manila to Chicago for a period of one year.

In its assessment, the US DOT found PAL to be qualified to operate the proposed route, affirming that the service is consistent with public interest and department policy.

The agency’s approval comes after Delta Air Lines Inc. moved to withdraw its objection to PAL’s request, on the condition that any exemption granted to the airline would be limited to a one-year term.

Last month, Delta urged the US DOT to defer approval of PAL’s application until it received assurances from the Philippine government that it would also have market access to Manila.

Delta, one of the largest carriers in the world, is pursuing plans to launch its own Manila service from Los Angeles beginning next year. However, the carrier is uncertain about the viability of this route, especially as airlines are struggling to secure slots at the heavily congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Delta argued that granting PAL’s application “would further entrench an uneven competitive landscape” since US carriers are still unable to obtain reciprocal access to Manila.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has since assured Delta that it is ready to “give due course to and act favorably on” any application for schedules and slot timing at NAIA.

Since Delta withdrew its opposition following the CAB’s pledge, the US DOT said there is no reason to delay or withhold action on the authority sought by PAL, paving the way for its Chicago service.

“We will consider any development regarding Manila access upon consideration of a timely application for renewal by PAL or as otherwise appropriate,” the US DOT said.

The exemption authority granted to PAL is in line with the Air Service Agreement (ASA) between the Philippines and the US, which authorizes Philippine-based carriers to operate flights to Honolulu, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guam, Saipan, and “four additional points” to be selected by the Philippine government.

In 2020, a diplomatic note issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to the US Embassy in Manila identified Chicago as one of these four points.

PAL earlier said that it is ready to operate flights between Manila and Chicago “as soon as authorized by the [US DOT] to do so.”

The Lucio Tan-led carrier is targeting to launch the new service during the summer schedule of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which runs from March to October.

With this new route, PAL is expanding its reach in the US to eight destinations, cementing its position as the carrier with the widest coverage between the Philippines and the US.

PAL currently flies to the US through Guam, Saipan, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York.

PAL is expected to serve this long-haul market through its Airbus A350-1000, a fuel-efficient next-generation widebody aircraft that can accommodate up to 382 passengers.

Five more Airbus A350-1000 aircraft are scheduled to join PAL’s growing fleet within the year, with three more arriving next year.