Hawaiian Airlines is seeking permission from the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin daily nonstop service between Kailua-Kona and Tokyo’s Haneda airport this summer.

The airline said Monday it submitted an application after the department decided to review Delta Air Lines’ route linking Seattle and Haneda.

U.S. airlines are allowed four slots for flights to and from Haneda. Hawaiian has one for a nonstop daily flight between Haneda and Honolulu.

Hawaiian CEO Mark Dunkerley says Kona is a top destination for Japanese travelers. He says a flight to West Hawaii is the best use for scarce Haneda slots.

He says the route would boost U.S. exports, jobs and economic growth.

Japan Airlines flew nonstop to Kona from Tokyo’s Narita airport for over a decade until 2010.