American Airlines told the Transportation Department that...

American Airlines told the Transportation Department that if American is awarded the Seattle/Tacoma-Tokyo route, it will be used to develop a major Pacific gateway at Seattle/Tacoma and make American the third major U.S.-flag carrier in the Pacific. The route currently is held by United Airlines. However, when United acquired Pan Am’s Pacific route network, the department ordered that a route case be established to consider transferring the route to another carrier in order to reinstate gateway competition and enhance service. Hearings will be held in Washington D.C. and the Seattle/Tacoma area in February.