Delta Air Lines Inc. is asking the United States (US) government to defer its decision on Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) request to launch direct flights to Chicago, citing accessibility issues in Manila as it plans to start its own nonstop service.

In response to PAL’s request for an exemption, Delta urged the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to hold off its decision until its entry to Manila is assured by the Philippine government.

Delta, one of the US’ largest carriers, is planning to launch direct flights to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Los Angeles beginning next year’s summer season.

The airline said the service would provide additional competition, new routing options, and expanded connectivity between the US and the Philippines.

“However, those benefits can only be fully realized if US and Philippine carriers are afforded a level and reciprocal opportunity to access Manila on commercially viable terms,” Delta said in a March 11 comment seen by Manila Bulletin.

Delta noted that it “does not oppose” PAL’s request to introduce direct flights to Chicago, since it would help advance similar public interest objectives, but stressed that there is currently “no equal opportunity” when it comes to routes between the two countries.

Like other US-based carriers, Delta said it faces “significant barriers” in obtaining slots, gates, and related airport infrastructure at NAIA, which are necessary to launch and sustain a nonstop service.

The airline said this runs in contrast to the Air Service Agreement between the Philippines and the US, which seeks to ensure fair and equal opportunity for carriers of both countries.

“Philippine carriers have been able to expand their presence in the US market, through new nonstop services and increased frequencies at major US gateways including, most recently, launching Manila-Seattle nonstop service,” said Delta.

“Granting PAL additional US authority while US carriers remain unable to obtain reciprocal access at Manila would further entrench an uneven competitive landscape,” it asserted.

As such, Delta said the US DOT should only grant PAL the authority to mount nonstop flights to Chicago after receiving written assurances from the Philippine government that it will receive the necessary and commercially viable slots and infrastructure access at NAIA.

In recent years, the US DOT has deferred action on applications from foreign carriers, including PAL, due to opposition from US carriers over access restrictions and limitations in exercising their bilateral rights.

Previously, Chicago-headquartered United Airlines Inc. also asked the US DOT to delay its decision on PAL’s request to operate direct flights to Seattle.

United later withdrew its opposition after receiving confirmation from the Philippine government that it would receive its requested slots at NAIA.

At present, United is the sole American carrier operating between the Philippines and the US, with daily flights between Manila and San Francisco.

It remains to be seen whether Delta will receive slots for its planned Manila flights given congestion at NAIA.

The Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC) earlier ordered domestic carriers to withdraw their remaining turboprop operations at the country’s primary gateway by March 29 to free up slots.

With Delta’s request for the US DOT to defer its decision, PAL will likely be unable to meet its plan to operate Chicago flights during the summer season, which begins this month and concludes in October.

PAL has been expanding its presence in North America amid growing demand, particularly from the large Filipino diaspora.

The flag carrier currently operates flights to eight destinations in the region: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, Toronto, Honolulu, and Guam. By March 29, PAL will add another route to its roster with the revival of its Saipan flights.