United bids for 6 new slots at Tokyo Haneda

United Continental is applying for 6 of 12 new slots open to US carriers at Tokyo Haneda International in a push to increase daily nonstop flights to the Japanese capital ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games and beyond. Haneda is located closer to downtown Tokyo than the capital's other international airport Narita, and flies to more destinations throughout Japan, making it attractive for both business travellers and tourists. Thursday is the deadline for applications to the US DoT for the 12 extra Haneda slots that Japan has agreed to allot to US airlines. The extra slots for US airlines were unlocked after Japan reached an agreement with the US Air Force to open up new flight paths around a nearby US air base, a move needed to boost Haneda movements in the run-up to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. <br/>