A contingent of Denver city and business leaders traveled to Japan last week to remind aviation officials that interest remains strong in attracting All Nippon Airways nonstop service between Tokyo and Denver.
Visits by Denver airport and business officials to woo the airline have gone on for more than a decade, though Denver has maintained the pressure for the past six years.
“We wanted them to know we’re still aggressively pursuing the service,” said Sally Covington, marketing chief at Denver International Airport.
The nonstop service from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport is important for DIA, Covington said, adding, “Tokyo is the gateway to Asia for us.”
Covington said the Tokyo-Denver connection would mean about $120 million a year in direct revenue for DIA and indirect and induced revenues.
All Nippon Airways is the “launch” customer for the Boeing 787, called the “Dreamliner.” Testing of the new 210-seat aircraft has been delayed.
The Japanese carrier is considering at least two U.S. cities to serve with the widebody jet, with Boston, Houston and Miami also suggested.
Denver would provide good connectivity to other parts of the country and offers strong origin and destination numbers, Covington said.
“They repeatedly tell us that Denver is on the list and they are always looking at Denver and will continue to look at the market,” she said.
ANA could take delivery of the 787s by year’s end, Covington said, with Japanese officials saying they will subject it to 18 months to two years of testing. The earliest the Tokyo-Denver flights could begin would be 2013.
Denver is prepared with incentives. The perks, which would require approval by the City Council, include $1.5 million in marketing and a waiver of $400,000 in landing fees.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
