WASHINGTON -- American, America West, Delta, Frontier and United
want what National Airlines has -- and one of them may get their
wish.
Here's what it's all about: Almost all nonstops out of
Washington's Reagan National are limited to 1,250 miles or less.
But two years ago, Congress authorized the Transportation
Department to award "beyond perimeter" slots for six daily
roundtrips that travel further.
National got slots to offer daily roundtrip service to Las
Vegas. But it had to stop using them after Sept. 11, and, amid
financial difficulties, has not resumed the service since getting
permission to do so earlier this year.
The carrier may be forced to give up the slots, and plenty of
airlines are eager to get them.
In applications to the DOT this month, US Airways said it wants
the slots for Las Vegas service. America West wants them for a
second daily Las Vegas flight, American wants them for Los Angeles,
Delta for Salt Lake City, Frontier for a second daily Denver flight
and United for Los Angeles.