Delta Air Lines continues to build up its Raleigh/Durham focus city operation, with the latest addition thrice-a-day service to Newark (EWR) effective Nov. 6. The new route will give Delta over 70 flights a day from RDU.

What’s notable about the new route is the start date. Why? Since 2008, Newark has been capacity controlled, with a limited number of flights allowed and different airlines each having a limited number of takeoff and landing slots. (Newark is a United Airlines hub so obvious United has the lion’s share of slots at EWR. United already flies RDU-EWR.)

Things at Newark are going to change come Oct. 30 though, when the existing slot restrictions end. Be interesting to see if airlines can keep flights and thus delays in check or whether things devolve into a Tragedy of the Commons situation.