MABUHAY CHICAGO!

It seems that Philippine Airlines has cleared a major hurdle in its move to restart flights between Manila and Chicago after Delta withdrew its objection, though with certain conditions.
In a US DOT filing, it says:
“Delta Air Lines, Inc. (“Delta”) hereby moves for leave to withdraw its objection to the above‑referenced application of Philippine Airlines, Inc. (“PAL”), subject to the condition that any exemption granted by the Department be limited to a term of one year. Delta did not oppose in principle the authority sought by PAL, but objected to the application to the extent it would permit expanded operations for a foreign carrier absent appropriate safeguards to protect a U.S. carrier’s reciprocal interest in serving Manila. In light of subsequent developments, including the submission of a letter by the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (“Philippine CAB”) indicating that Philippine CAB will act favorably on a future Delta submission for commercially viable slot times, Delta does not oppose a limited, time‑bound exemption that allows the Department to assess market conditions and competitive effects on an interim basis.”
PAL previously operated flights between Manila and Chicago from 1986 to 1988. Once PAL’s Manila–Chicago flights become official, this will be the airline’s fifth destination in the US mainland and its seventh destination in North America.
So let us all hope this is finally the green light for PAL’s Manila–Chicago plans. Once this is finalized, this will become the fourth route out of PAL’s seven new routes for this year. Three more are still left to guess. Will they also reinstate London and Auckland? Or will PAL expand its long-haul routes from Cebu? (META)