Love Field, The Wright Amendment, & SWA

[noelamador]

Love flights outperform D/FW's, study says
Southwest Airlines more efficient than American, study finds
Margaret Allen
Staff Writer

Dallas Love Field beats Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport hands down, accordin Unisys found that not only are Southwest's fares lower, but its airplanes, on average, don't fly as full as do flights from D/FW. And while Southwest is offering only two-thirds of the seats out of the Metroplex, it gets three-fourths of the passengers, Kuhlmann said.

At D/FW, industry load factors -- how full the plane is -- are typically 72%, the report said. At Love, they are an "abysmal" 59%. Yet Southwest is the only airline in the industry consistently turning a profit, while its D/FW competitor, legacy carrier American has reported numerous losses.

"(Southwest) has created a cost base that allows them to make money on lower fares," Kuhlmann said. "That compares to legacy carriers with record load factors -- and they are still losing money."

Even so, it looks likely that Southwest in April will cut six flights out of Love Field when it discontinues service to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to Linda Rutherford, a Southwest spokeswoman.

It's likely Southwest will redeploy the flights elsewhere, as the low-cost, low-fare airline is expanding service in other markets, particularly in the eastern United States, Kuhlmann said.

"Southwest is in a very interesting time right now," he said. "All of a sudden they are the top dog. They have a lot of opportunity. They're going across their system and saying 'Let's throw our resources into the places that will give us the best return on our money.' "
g to a new report from transportation consultant Unisys R2A.

While Love Field carriers may have fewer seats going to the cities they serve, they almost always exceed their expected share of passenger revenue, said the report.

Southwest Airlines Co. is the monopoly carrier at Love. American Airlines Inc. is the sole hub carrier at D/FW.

"In essence, (Southwest) is doing more with their resources than D/FW," said Ron Kuhlmann, vice president at Unisys.

When compared to D/FW Airport in 13 "city-pair" markets both serve, Love Field's share of revenue consistently exceeds its share of seats. For example, Love Field has 58.9% of the seats between Dallas and Albuquerque, but 68.3% of passenger revenue. In the Dallas-Austin market, Love has 63.7% of seats, but 74.5% of passenger revenue, the report said.

In only one city pair -- between the Metroplex and the West Texas city of Midland -- did D/FW capture a higher percentage of passenger revenue than seats flown, the report said.

On the Midland route, Love has 87.9% of seats, but gets only 87.1% of passenger revenue, while D/FW has 12.1% of seats to Midland and gets 12.9% of revenue. The comparison is adjusted to exclude passengers flying through D/FW to connect to another flight.
Higher fares at D/FW

California-based Unisys also found that average fares are higher at D/FW Airport to and from each of the 13 markets where the two airports both provide service.

That's despite the fact that flight operations, by definition, are more expensive from Love, Kuhlmann said. From Love, Southwest -- by federal law -- can only fly limited, short-haul routes within Texas and neighboring states. Short-haul flights typically generate less passenger revenue, because the cost of flying decreases as the flight length increases, he said.

Yet average fares at Love are 86% of what they are D/FW, the report stated.

Unisys found that not only are Southwest's fares lower, but its airplanes, on average, don't fly as full as do flights from D/FW. And while Southwest is offering only two-thirds of the seats out of the Metroplex, it gets three-fourths of the passengers, Kuhlmann said.

[noelamador]

D/FW Airport launches pro-Wright Amendment Web site

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and the North Texas Commission have launched an informational Web site aimed at educating the public on issues relating to the Wright Amendment and the North Texas economy.

"There are a number of people and organizations saying a lot of different things on the subject of the Wright Amendment," said Ken Capps, vice president of public affairs at D/FW Airport. "We believe it is important for everyone to have accurate, factual information regarding this issue. The issue has far reaching impact on our economy, our region and hundreds of thousands of jobs."

The 1979 federal law, designed to protect sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, prohibits all but the smallest passenger planes from flying between Love Field and anywhere beyond Texas and seven nearby states.

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Inc. (NYSE: LUV) maintains that Dallas-Fort Worth Airport no longer needs protection, as it is one of the country's busiest airports now.

Southwest wants to repeal a federal amendment that restricts flights at Love Field Airport in Dallas from flying anywhere but other cities in Texas and nearby states.

The D/FW Airport site includes economic facts and historical information.

The site's front page features letters from North Texas Commission President and CEO Dan Petty and D/FW Airport CEO Jeff Fegan.

The site also highlights the airport's contributions to the North Texas economy, particularly in the area of minority/women-owned businesses.

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, D/FW Airport is the world's third-busiest, offering nearly 1,800 flights per day and serving 57 million passengers a year.

Web site: www.keepdfwstrong.com

[St-T]

^WOW!!! Total propaganda from AA. It is amazing that they think that people will actually believe that lifting the Wright Amendment will doom the N. Texas economy. LOL

[texman]

Why dont they change it to keep AA strong.

[LoneStarMike]

Southwest Seeks To Repeal Wright Act
By TED JACKOVICS tjackovics@tampatrib.com
Published: Feb 4, 2005


TAMPA - The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority is considering giving its support to Southwest Airlines' quest to repeal a federal amendment so it can fly nonstop between Dallas Love Field and Tampa.

The issue appears to be a no-brainer from Tampa's end, where Southwest is Tampa International Airport's No. 1 carrier and construction is nearly complete on a new Airside C that primarily will serve the Dallas-based airline.

The $134 million airside is expected to open in mid-April.

``If the act is repealed, it would allow Southwest to fly anywhere in the United States from Love Field, including Tampa,´´ TIA Director Louis Miller said Thursday.

That could increase competition among carriers and lower air fares on the Tampa-Dallas route, Miller said. Those fares generally rank between the second- and fourth- most expensive among major destinations served from Tampa because of the dominance that American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have enjoyed on the route.

The average one-way fare between Tampa and Dallas in the first quarter of 2004 was $183.

The fare is surpassed only by those for flights serving Tampa and Cincinnati, Memphis, Tenn., and San Francisco, among major destinations.

Southwest is precluded from flying from its headquarters at Dallas Love Field to states beyond those contiguous to Texas, plus Alabama, Kansas and Mississippi, by The Wright Act.

The law is named after sponsor Jim Wright, a Texas Democrat and former majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The politically inspired federal legislation was enacted in 1979 to protect then-new Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which is less convenient to people in Dallas than Love Field.

Southwest declined an incentive-laden offer to move some of its flights to Dallas- Fort Worth International.

Now that Delta has reduced its flights, Southwest has said that it sees a greater opportunity for long-distance growth from Dallas Love Field, Miller said.

The airline has asked the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority for its support in backing a legislative sponsor to repeal the act.

Dallas-Fort Worth International also has sought Tampa's support for maintaining the act, especially since Delta last month reduced its daily departures there from 258 to 21 and the airport has been left with empty gates.

The aviation authority is expected to decide at its monthly meeting in March whether to support the big Texas airport or Southwest on The Wright Amendment issue.

Link

The rest of the article talks about the opening of the new Airside C. It will be interesting to see who Tampa sides with, but I can't imagine them not supporting Southwest.

Mike

[LoneStarMike]

Does anyone remember the Great Southwest Airport which was located just south of DFW (before DFW)? Apparently it never did very well. All traces of it seem to be demolished now. The Confederate Air Force (now Ghost Squadron) used to have some fantastic air shows there back in the very early 1970s. There used to be a B-36 mounted at the entrance...

In addition to the website about GSW posted towards the bottom of Page 3, here's another fairly new site with photos and diagrams and a pretty good history.

Greater Southwest International Airport

Like the Love Field site posted earlier, it has an hourly bandwidth limit so you may not get through on the first try. Just try back later.

LoneStarmike

[LoneStarMike]

A quote from the www.keepdfwstrong.com website:

DFW confronted the Delta challenge by offering an aggressive incentive package to airlines that might be interested in taking advantage of the 27 gates Delta abandoned. Negotiations continue with prospective carriers. Sadly, however, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines declined to exploit the unique opportunity at DFW Airport.

Um... no. Southwest declined the opportunity to be exploited by DFW Airport.

To be eligible for the incentive, a carrier must agree to lease a minimum of 10 gates in the first year of operation and commit to this level of service through 2009.

The carrier would also be required to meet certain departure levels, based on the number of gates leased, with at least 70% of new seats dedicated to markets listed in DFW*s Top 50 destinations and currently not served by the airline from DFW. One article in one of the AirTran threads mentioned that if AirTran took the offer they'd have to be flying up to 80 flights per day out of 10 gates by the end of the first year.

There are very few airlines that have the extra resources needed (planes, employees and most importantly, cash) to undertake such a large initial operation.

In Southwest*s 33 year history they have never started service at a new city and been up to ten gates within a year. To date, Philadelphia has been Southwest*s fastest growing city and they started there with 14 daily departures out of 4 gates. Nine months later, they*re up to 41 daily departures out of 6 gates. In order to receive the minimum amount of incentives that DFW is offering, Southwest would have to grow nearly twice as fast at DFW as they are at PHL and that*s not Southwest*s style.

No wonder they weren*t swayed by DFW*s offer. They have no legal or moral obligation to move their operations, increase their costs, and undetake a rapid expansion all to subsidize DFW Airport and American Airlines.

If DFW were really serious about filling that vacant space, they*d have better luck if they tried to get several airlines to take one or two gates apiece, giving each carrier a million in incentives for every gate leased. Instead, they*re only offering incentives to the few carriers that might have the resources to undertake a large initial operation of 10 or more gates. Or at least that is what is being reported in the media.

Other than AirTran, what other airline(s) could make the kind of commitment DFW is asking for? Certainly not any of the legacy carriers. They*re all losing money. Frontier has indicated they*re not interested. Spirit is too small to launch a 10-22 gate operation at DFW. Although jetBlue is getting more aircraft next year, they*ve already made a commitment to expand at Boston going from their current 2 gates to 5 and expanding to 11 gates over the next several years. Virgin America has decided to base the bulk of their opertions in San Francisco and their start-up date has been pushed back to at least 2006. So who is left that could fill the void at DFW by taking 10 or more gates?

There was a very extensive article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, D/FW loses it*s bet on airline industry recovery a few days ago and it mentions, among other things: (emphasis added)

The financial concerns are mounting:

. On Tuesday, Delta leaves 24 gates empty, and D/FW loses its elite status as one of two U.S. airports -- with Chicago O*Hare -- to boast two hubs run by large, traditional carriers.

. The *1 billion, 2-million-square-foot Terminal D, which opens in July, increases terminal space by 52 percent, but it is not fully leased.

. This year*s operational budget is *494.1 million, up 50 percent from last year. Net debt service and mandatory reserves account for nearly half the budget.

. Energy costs are doubling this year.

. Debt, held below *700 million before the Terminal D expansion, is more than *3.8 billion.

. D/FW*s low cost to airlines -- its biggest selling point in attracting carriers -- will more than double by 2009, according to airport consultant Leigh Fischer.

. Most of what would have been Delta*s share of the debt payments will probably fall on American in the form of higher landing fees and charges.

. The Wright Amendment, which limits growth at rival Dallas Love Field, is under siege. Southwest Airlines* attempts to start long-haul service at Dallas Love Field could siphon additional revenues from D/FW.

Source

Southwest doesn*t want to go to DFW because they don*t want to take on DFW*s problems (among other reasons.)

Southwest doesn*t interline with other carriers and they don*t fly internationally, so why should they move to a more expensive airport further away from their core base of travelers and increase their costs all so they can help pay for a fancy new international terminal and a state of the art people mover that primarily serves to benefit their main competitor in the Metroplex -- and is of NO benefit to Southwest -- at an airport that has sued Southwest Airlines multiple times throughout its existence?

The article also has quotes from aviation analysts saying they were surprised that DFW thought it could get an airline to open a hub at DFW in today*s market when most carriers are simply struggling to survive. Some speculate that DFW will renegotiate for smaller deals involving fewer gates.

It also says that DFW*s cost per passenger will go from $4.24 in 2004 to $8.93 in 2009. It also mentions the option DFW has of sectioning off portions of Terminal E and closing them if the gates don*t get rented.

Here*s another thing Southwest probably took into consideration regarding DFW*s offer of "free" rent. DFW is a residual airport, which means the airlines are ultimately responsible for any and all debts. Conversely, these airlines also receive a refund at the end of the fiscal year if DFW*s revenues exceed its expenses.

For the past several years, DFW has indeed issued a refund to its carriers. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram article above mentioned that DFW hasn*t billed the airlines since 1996. I think that will soon change, though. So what good is "free" rent, when there is a very real possibility the airport will turn around and bill you at the end of the year because they went over budget?

I think Terminal E*s gates will eventually be backfilled but not nearly as quickly as DFW is hoping for. And in the meantime, American will be the one making up the bulk of DFW*s revenue shortfalls, which is only fair since the improvements primarily benefit them.

As it is now, under the current terms, this whole DFW incentive program is just asking for trouble IMHO. The worst thing any company can do is to try to expand too rapidly and that is especially true in the airline industry. And yet that*s exactly the type of airline DFW is hoping to entice with this incentive offer.

Here is something else DFW might consider. Why not move all the traditional legacy carriers who are over in Terminal B over to Terminal E. Leave AirTran at Terminal B and move the other Low Fare carriers to B as well.

If a traditional carrier carrier inquires about gate space, send them to Terminal E. Market Terminal B as the "low-fare" terminal on the less congested side of the airport. Just a thought.

And on an amusing little side note one of the articles from the Fort Worth Star Telegram in another thread on this forum listed the 45 airlines DFW sent information to regarding the incentive package. One of those carriers was American Airlines. What was the point of that? Under the terms for the incentives, AA wouldn*t qualify. Remember -- 70% of the new seats must be to a destination in DFW*s top 50 markets and one which the airline isn*t currently serving out of DFW. Someone may wish to inform the DFW Airport Board that their flagship carrier, AA currently flies nonstop to all of DFW*s top 50 destinations (and then some) so it would appear they couldn*t qualify for the incentive program. When it comes to the DFW Airport Board, I often wonder if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing.

LoneStarMike

[LoneStarMike]

I have a couple of questions regarding the Love Field Master Plan and Southwest gate facilities at Love Field.

The Dallas Love Field Master Plan addresses the infratructure needs for the airport. There are two phases.

Phase 1 includes:

1. Open three East Concourse gates. (Done)

2. Demolish remainder of East Concourse. (Done -- AA paid for this)

3. Construct new cargo building. (This is to be done at Southwest's expense)

4. Demolish existing cargo building.

5. Develop Commercial Vehicle Lot for taxi pick-ups and all buses and vans.

6. Add a new pedestrian bridge from the garage to the current main terminal area and remove the existing bridge.

7. Close and reconstruct the lower level curb front road.

8. Reconfigure lanes at the arrivals area to a final two-curb arrangement, except with temporary connections from the upper level road.

Items 1, 2 and (I think) 6 have been completed. I don't know the status of the other work in Phase 1. Did Southwest ever start construction of the new cargo facility?

Phase 2 includes:

1. Relocate/replace Southwest Airlines Training Facility.

2. Redevelop North Concourse.

3. Relocate traffic to new outer curb lanes, close and lower upper level curb lanes.

4. Relocate traffic to completed curb roads and vacate commercial vehicle lot.

5. Demolish vacant east ticket wing and expand curb front to final configuration.

6. Add DART station, if applicable.

7. Construct new ticketing and bag claim wing.

8. Construct new pedestrian walkway from parking garage to new ticketing/bag claim

9. Make improvements to CedarSprings/Mockingbird intersection. (I think I read that this work would be ongoing throughout Phase 2)

Regarding redevelopment of the North Concourse, aren't there some buildings constructed after DFW opened that obstruct those gates? I was thinking it was a facility for Provisioning or something like that. What, if anything would have to be torn down to regain ramp access to those gates?

Pre 9/11 Southwest had 139 daily departures at Love Field. With the closing of IAH, Southwest will be down to 117 daily departures.

With their 14 current gates and 117 daily departures effective April 2, they could comfortably add an additional 25 or so daily departures before they would have to start redeveloping their space in the North Concourse.
Were the Wright Amendment to be repealed I think Southwest would add the flights over a two year period while the work remaining to be done in Phase 1 of the Love Field Master Plan was completed.

Once all that was done, then Southwest could start redeveloping the North Concourse as that work is slated for Phase 2.

If those initial flights long-haul flights did well, and Southwest wanted to add more before the North Concourse gates are completed, they could tweak the schedules (say cut 1 daily roundtrip in their 6 busiest short-haul markets) and reassign those 6 departures to more long-haul flights.

They'd slowly but surely balance their scheduled departures beween short-haul flights and long-haul flights to try and get the best return using the current facilities and resources they have while waiting for additional facilities to be built.

But somewhere in the Dallas Love Field Master Plan where it talks about all the airport's facilities, it mentions more than once that Southwest's leases on it's active gates in the West Concourse (not sure about the North Concourse office space) will expire on December 16, 2006.

My guess is that right now, Southwest will slowly make more flight cuts at Love Field to redeploy the aircraft elsewhere where the opportunity for profit is greater, while at the same time showing the City of Dallas and Love Field they meant business in that Dallas Business Journal article said more Love flights would be cut if the amendment stood.

If the Wright Amendment has not been repealed when Southwest's lease expires they most likely will give up some of their gates.

I don't think they'll ever leave Love Field alltogether, (at least I hope not) but I could see them cutting back an additional 2 or 3 departures in the current short-haul markets (like OKC, TUL, HOU, AUS, SAT, and LIT,) thereby needing fewer gates.

LoneStarMike

[slfunk]

This article could me used to support either way of the arguement of those for or those against the Wright Amendment. I personally see this article today as a stance to weaken AA argument that they will be severely hurt should the Wright Amendment be abolished. Instead I see this as AA is taking hold of an opportunity and telling everyone "Hey we are really not hurting as bad as you think."

Southwest should not be forced to break away from their buisness structure and adapt into something there competition wants them to be. I'm all for the Wright amendment being abolished, and this reaffirms that Dallas needs to protect its asset of Love Field and encourage competition not a monopoly of one airport.


American adds flights again at D/FW

Fort Worth carrier is filling in some holes left by Delta's pullback


11:46 PM CST on Monday, February 7, 2005


By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning News



American Airlines Inc. has broadened its schedule expansion at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, citing heavy demand as Delta Air Lines Inc. has scaled back in North Texas.

The Fort Worth carrier said Monday that by this summer, it will fly 839 daily flights from D/FW – a 119-flight increase from a year earlier.

Under the new schedule, American would operate at record capacity at its largest hub airport.

The schedule adds more daily flights to big cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, as well as both Houston airports.

Cities that only Delta served nonstop from D/FW – such as Lexington, Ky., and Savannah, Ga., – will get new nonstop service on regional carrier American Eagle.

Total daily Eagle flights will increase by 74 to 289.

American will add a third daily flight to London's Gatwick Airport. The airline will cut four flights to Paris a week, though it will keep daily service to the city.

"We added some extra Paris flights last year, but London has been performing better," said Henry Joyner, American's senior vice president for planning.

The airline will bring back service to Japan's Osaka Airport in November and may add more Mexican cities to the schedule.

Over the past six months, American has ramped up its D/FW schedule several times as Delta has reduced its flying here, closing its hub on Jan. 31.

Delta now offers just 21 daily flights from D/FW.

American now flies more than 80 percent of all D/FW traffic.

Bookings through D/FW are up 12 percent from last year, in part because of Atlanta-based Delta's pullout, Mr. Joyner said.

Lower airfares have also boosted ticket bookings, Mr. Joyner said. After Delta dropped its business fares last month, American largely matched the move.

E-mail etorbenson@dallasnews.com

[St-T]

Mike, I read that SW is going to start a website for the repeal of the Wright Amendment. Do you know anything about this???

[rantanamo]

I don't know the result for DFW itself if the Amendment is repealed. Apparently it would be good for consumers, but I hope it doesn't kill DFW or at least severly hurt it. I know we are consumers and think of ourselves first, but wow is DFW a huge economic engine. The ripple effect of it severely failing could be like a massive earthquake for North Texas. The only way I'd support the repealing of the Amendment is if I'm convinced it doesn't kill the NT economy just for a few lower prices ala Wal-Mart.

Can someone convince me of what positive it does for DFW? Not what it does for me or the walk up traveller, as lower prices are not always the end all for everyone.

[LoneStarMike]

There were recent articles in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News that both said Southwest had registered various domain names on December 3, but that Southwest was not considering putting up a website at this time. It was something they would consider in the future, though. The Dallas Morning News article seemed to suggest that Southwest was concentrating more right now on drumming up support from key players, kind of like how they are asking Tampa for help.

I know that new construction is planned for Southwest at Oakland, and Southwest is Oakland's largest carrier, so I'll bet they are asking Oakland for help, too. Additionaly, I believe a new 8 gate concourse is opening later this spring at Phoenix for Southwest. Southwest is Phoenix's second largest carrier behind America West, so they may be asking Phoenix for help.

Major construction is going on for Southwest at Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Southwest is the largest carrier there, so they'll probably get BWI's support.

Kansas City just finished a major overhaul of the entire airport, putting restrooms and concessions on the sterile side of the terminal and they widened the terminal, fixing the design flaw which previously had multiple checkpoints -- one for every two or three gates. Southwest's terminal at MCI was the last to be renovated and I think they might have picked up one or two additional gates in the process. Southwest is Kansas City's largest carrier and Kansas City would be a likely desination from Love Field if the Wright Amendment were repealed, so I'm sure they'd get Kansas City's support.

Southwest has a 10 or 12 gate terminal in St. Louis that is currently underutilized and AA had made a lot of cuts there. St. Louis would also seem to be a likely destination from Love Field, but considering AA is St. Louis's largest carrier, St. Louis may choose to remain neutral on the issue. Ditto for Chicago because of AA at OHare.

Then there's the congressional delegate who's trying to get Tennessee added to the list of states that Southwest can legally serve out of Love Field. I'm sure Southwest has Nashville's support, too. (Southwest is the largest carrier at Nashville.)

Up in Islip, NY Southwest just completed phase one of a terminal expansion that gave them one additional gate (they now have 4) and Phase 2 involves building out another 4 gates, which I believe will open in late 2006. Southwest is Islip's largest carrier, so they'd probably support Southwest.

About a year or so ago, Continental moved to a different concourse in New Orleans and Southwest took some of their vacant gates. I believe Southwest now leases 9 and the other three or four are still vacant (I think). At any rate, Southwest has room to grow in New Orleans, and I think Southwest might run some Dallas - Florida flights through New Orleans if the Wright Amendment is repealed, so New Orleans might support them. Plus Southwest is New Orleans' largest carrier.

That's one benefit Southwest has in this fight. American is huge in 3 or 4 places. Southwest has a sizeable enough presence to be the number one carrier at dozens of airports. Including the ones listed above, Houston Hobby, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Harlingen, Corpus Christi, Midland/Odessa, El Paso, Reno, Sacramento, San Diego, Burbank, Ontario, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Birmingham are all cities where I believe Southwest is the number one carrier in terms of market share.

I think once Southwest is able to get the support of these key players (If they indeed can) then they will concentrate on bringing their side of the story to the public via some sort of website. That's just my opionion, though. Take it for what it's worth.

LoneStarMike

[RobertB]

I don't know the result for DFW itself if the Amendment is repealed. Apparently it would be good for consumers, but I hope it doesn't kill DFW or at least severly hurt it. I know we are consumers and think of ourselves first, but wow is DFW a huge economic engine. The ripple effect of it severely failing could be like a massive earthquake for North Texas. The only way I'd support the repealing of the Amendment is if I'm convinced it doesn't kill the NT economy just for a few lower prices ala Wal-Mart.

Can someone convince me of what positive it does for DFW? Not what it does for me or the walk up traveller, as lower prices are not always the end all for everyone.

Here's one, I'm sure there are others:

Businesses planning a convention must take into account things like where the airport is vs. where the convention venue is. Unless you count the hotel ballrooms at the airport hotels, D/FW Airport is a heckuvalongways from either Dallas or Fort Worth's downtown convention centers. With the complete lack of direct rapid transit between D/FW and D or FW, that means that anyone flying in to the convention must rent a car (ouch) or take a taxi (double ouch) to get to the show.

That wouldn't be so bad if D/FW was a vast prairie with no traffic, but that ain't the case. So now, you'd better add an hour, maybe two, for each drive between the airport and downtown. And multiply that by the number of days in the convention, because there's a good chance that the visitor is staying at a hotel near the airport, or somewhere else far from downtown -- and building a taxpayer-subsidized downtown hotel won't help that problem (I'm talking to you, FW).

Now, change the paradigm: repeal the Wright Amendment, and open up Dallas Love and FW Meacham to competitive commercial traffic. All the above problems go away when your clients can fly right into the city. The taxi will cost much less, the drive in the rental car is shorter, the downtown hotel is close enough to the airport to attract your visitor. Eventually, you'll have those rapid transit links in place -- a lot sooner than you will at D/FW, at least. Now, you can plan your convention in Dallas or Fort Worth without starting late and ending early to account for the drive from the big airport.

Bottom line: Repeal Wright, get more convention business.

That's one. Others?

[rantanamo]

Could Southwest be the Wal-Mart of the airline industry?

[slfunk]

I don't know the result for DFW itself if the Amendment is repealed. Apparently it would be good for consumers, but I hope it doesn't kill DFW or at least severly hurt it. I know we are consumers and think of ourselves first, but wow is DFW a huge economic engine. The ripple effect of it severely failing could be like a massive earthquake for North Texas. The only way I'd support the repealing of the Amendment is if I'm convinced it doesn't kill the NT economy just for a few lower prices ala Wal-Mart.

Can someone convince me of what positive it does for DFW? Not what it does for me or the walk up traveller, as lower prices are not always the end all for everyone.

Its not necessarily what it does for DFW airport but what it does for the region in the future, not overnight. DFW yes it will take a hit at first, but nothing even close to what the Telecom Corridor experienced here. I think that is what DFW Airport is hoping will be the fear struck in people's hearts as they continue their campaign. Right now the Wright Amendment acts more as a protection for AA then for the Airport. Airlines have already repeately stated that they don't want to come into DFW airport where AA has a long reputation of taking over the competition and pushing them. This being one of the reasons the fees to fly into DFW are now making it one of the more expensive airports. Southwest continued to favor the Wright Amendment until recently because it gave them protection of Love Field being a place only Southwest could see a big profit being made. Some other airlines tried to operate out of Love Field a couple years ago including AA, but that sooned passed with the exception of Continental.

Right now we have some of the most expensive fees at our airports. Dallas use to be one of the primier places for buisness travel and conferencing. After and even before 9-11 businesses began cutting back the amount of business travel and what they were willing to pay for plane tickets. Fees and ticket prices began to increase other then specials. If you get prices to come down due to competition and in turn have more business travel. This fear DFW officials are playing up that DFW will be severally hurt is superficial. I'd predict the airlines that come out stronger in the next year or so and begin to expand will look at the mertroplex to expand because of the competition between the airports. The airports will give better concessions with DFW have a far superior advantage.

Dallas is not different from other markets that have two airports. At the time DFW airport was a huge gamble because the demographics where are on the border line of making sense to build such a facility. Now, if anything the metroplex has far surpassd beyond predictions (in population and economy) that where made at the time DFW was built. In fact there was talk in the D magazine and Biz Journal at the beginning of 2004 amoung business leaders for a second international airport to be built in Dallas to support this region. Lovefield was stated as not being adequate enough due to size contraints and its location. DFW's current masterplan is to have it completely built out I believe by 2015 according to their masterplan (before 9-11, but not going to happen at this point).

[rantanamo]

Do we have a counterpoint? and when you say not overnight, what does that mean? Are you saying a time of suffering for a while, with no gurantee of recovery? What are you saying?

[slfunk]

When I say overnight, I am saying don't expect instant gratification. Something people as a whole are too consumed with, and expect the worse when it doesn't happen immediately. I also wouldn't say a time of "suffering" - that is very pessimistic, and what DFW officials are counting on people believe in order to win their support. There is a guarantee of recovery, because the Wright Amendment would get abolished does not mean Dallas is going to fall off into utopia. What I except is when the Wright Amendment gets abolished there will be a 3-6 month period before Southwest starts adding flights elsewhere. Meanwhile Airtran expands its operation at DFW, and AA explores more options for growth. Within a year or so of the amendment being abolished DFW International is able to secure one or more airlines to fill the rest of the gates.

I would expect a much more dreary outcome for the Metroplex should we continue down the path we are now. That is accepting what has worked in the past (30 years). It would take some time 10 or 15 years, then we would wake up and think "where would we have been now should we have abolished the Wright Amendment back 2005." Politicians would be scratching their heads wondering, "How... why.. but back in the 90's we were at the top of the game, now we are loosing out on growth." Then they would continue to fight and blame everyone but themselves. One of the cancers here in Dallas is the Wright Amendment and our politics. Meanwhile in that 10 15 years Houston has taken over Dallas's place in this region for being a diverse business hub, because its airports are able to compete with one another making it easier to cut travel expenses in and out of the city. Thus making it much more appealing to the consumer to use their airports for connecting flights etc. Isn't it something like 70% of passengers at DFW International are connecting with other flights. The reason why we built DFW International is so that we could "keep up with the Jones" and strongly market this region for business and so forth. AA was now where near the size it is now when occupying DFW. Now it is almost in total control, and they can control pricing making it very unattracted to travelers to come through and change planes here so forth. It is also an unhealthy solution for future development. RobertB gave a good example. Be weary of AA arguments. From DMN.,

"Gerard Arpey, American's chief executive, has suggested that for the low fares customers are enjoying on his airline, they can bring their own pillows. "

Why should AA not go after protecting what they've got knowing it work to their advantage of price control and more profit in the future. DFW International airport officials are affraid of competition, and want to be able to maintain their fees.

One thing the DFW officials don't let you know is how much they make and could make from concessions. I have mentioned my firm works with housing we also do a ton of restuarants. One of our clients is a chain restuarant and we built them a new restaurant in terminal B. That restuarant profits 5 times per seat then any other of their restuarants, and is the case for their other restaurants in the terminals. The airport does not take nearly as much as they could from the vendors that are bringing in huge profits in the airports.

[rantanamo]

ok, so what will it take for the Amendment to be repealed? I mean, what is the process.

[St-T]

^That is a very good question. I would love to start the process to get rid of this stupid thing!

[slfunk]

I wish I knew.... guess thats why I'm not a politician.

[Mballar]

ok, so what will it take for the Amendment to be repealed? I mean, what is the process.

It's going to take United States Congressional Action. That's why Southwest is lobbying congressional representatives from across the country. All it takes is for 1 or more representatives, in either the House or the Senate, to propose elimination of the Wright & Shelby Amendments in the form of a bill (or another amendment to some other legislation). More than likely, it will go through committees in both chambers before it comes up for a final vote.

As you can tell, this issue will be largely decided by people who don't even live in the state, much less the DFW Metroplex.

[St-T]

It would be nice if we could just vote on it... Have the citizens of Dallas and fw vote in a general election. hell, put it on the may ballot...talk about crazyness - strong mayor and wright amendment... oh well.

[rantanamo]

I can understand why other places would vote on it.

[RobertB]

It would be nice if we could just vote on it... Have the citizens of Dallas and fw vote in a general election. hell, put it on the may ballot...talk about crazyness - strong mayor and wright amendment... oh well.

We don't have a say, period. Because the subject is interstate commerce, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal government -- that the "F" in "FAA", as well as "FCC" (but not "FFA", IIRC).

Some loss of local self-determination is the price we pay for living in a federal republic. A little event in the late 1800's (our history teachers called it the Civil War) nailed down the general boundaries of "states' rights", and innumerable Supreme Court cases have nailed down most of the loose ends on that score. On the down side, some senator from Mississippi may end up deciding what planes can fly into Love Field. On the up side, any Texan (or any other American) can travel to Mississippi and eat at whatever lunch counter they like.

[mikedsjr]

Next Competition for Southwest Airlines

[drumguy8800]

I wouldn't doubt it. I really, really, wouldn't.

[rantanamo]

can see the commercials now

[Geaux Tigers]

I wonder if they'd stick to the "Watch for falling prices" slogan?

[texman]

I can see Walmart Airlines comparing to Valujet of the 90s.

[St-T]

AirTran IS ValueJet

[texman]

Duh But Airtran had really improved their image (other than the fact that they still fly those crappy DC-9s). I was just saying Walmart operating an airline wouldnt work. I wonder how those 'rollback on prices' would work with maintenance.

[Geaux Tigers]

^This is all kind of a moot point seeing as how Wal-Mart isn't going to start an airline.

BTW, Airtran's fleet only consists of brand new Boeing 717's & 737's. They've long since retired any DC-9's and I was sad to see they sold their A-320's.

[LoneStarMike]

^That is a very good question. I would love to start the process to get rid of this stupid thing!

Well after reading this letter, I have an idea. But first -- the letter.

Text of a letter that DFW apparently sent out to airports across the country in an effort to persuade them to not get involved in efforts to repeal the Wright Amendment

December 9, 2004*

Dear Airport Director:*

Last month, Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, announced that he believed the Wright Amendment was anti-competitive and outdated.* He went on to state that Southwest is no longer "passionately neutral" about the Wright Amendment; to the contrary, he believes it should be repealed to allow Southwest to compete for long-haul traffic out of Love Field.*

I urge you not to become party to any effort to repeal the Wright Amendment.* *

By way of background, the Wright Amendment was agreed to by the city of Dallas, the city of Fort Worth, DFW Airport, Southwest Airlines and other constituent groups in and around Love Field.* Although Southwest Airlines has benefited greatly from the Wright Amendment, it now wants to seek its repeal in order to protect its monopoly at Love Field.* If the Wright Amendment is successfully repealed, it will have a detrimental impact upon DFW Airport, its carriers and the North Texas Region.* *

As you may or may not know, DFW Airport just completed the financing of a $2.7 billion capital development program through the issuance of new debt, which increased DFWÂ's debt load six fold.* In addition, in September, Delta Air Lines announced its plan to eliminate its DFW hub by February 1, reducing its daily operations from 254 to 21 and effectively abandoning 24 gates at DFW.* *

An economic impact study released by the University of North Texas earlier this month shows that the DFW Metroplex will sustain a nearly $800 million economic loss as a result of Delta;s decision to eliminate its hub.* DeltaÂ's decision will cost the regional economy more than 7,000 jobs paying more than $344 million in annual wages, salaries and benefits.*

Property income from rents, dividends and other sources will decrease by $143 million each year.* State and local governments, including the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, are expected to lose approximately $58 million per year in tax revenues.* All of these figures will be exacerbated if the Wright Amendment is repealed.*

Obviously, any changes to the Wright Amendment, which could siphon traffic from DFW to Love Field, would have a detrimental impact upon DFW and its carriers at a time when they are least equipped to handle such a major change.*
Equally disconcerting is the fact that this announcement by Southwest could have, and already has had, a chilling effect on DFWÂ's efforts to bring a low-cost carrier to DFW Airport.* Nonetheless, DFW remains committed to backfilling these gates with a low-cost carrier.*

Prior to Mr. Kelly's announcement, DFW had been courting Southwest Airlines in an effort to have Southwest serve the cities to be abandoned by Delta.* Instead of picking up these flights at DFW, Southwest has chosen the most caustic, divisive option by choosing to repeal the Wright Amendment and provide that service from Love Field.* *

Mr. Kelly and Southwest Airlines plan to seek repeal of the Wright Amendment during the next Congressional session, which begins in January.* As with many other issues, I believe that this is a local issue that should be resolved locally.* As I would never seek to alter how your airport is operated or managed, I respectfully ask that you resist any efforts to involve your airport in the repeal of the Wright Amendment.*

Retaining the Wright Amendment means a stronger, more diversified DFW, with more carriers offering lower fares to a larger passenger base.* Therefore, if you are contacted, I would suggest that you let Southwest Airlines know that you would like to have the airline serve your city, if that is the case, but that you would like to see Southwest provide that service from DFW Airport, not Love Field, as originally agreed to by all parties.*

Thank you for your consideration.* If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.*

Sincerely,*
*
*
Jeffrey P. Fegan
Chief Executive Officer
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

http://www.aci-na.org/docs/70_FeganLettertoAirports.doc

So here's MY idea. I think we should all write our own letters (or compose an e-mail) setting the record straight and send them to the airports, letting them know that if asked, we would appreciate them giving Southwest their support in this matter.

It's supposed to be government of the people by the people for the people. Instead, we have government of DFW Airport & Fort Worth by Jim Wright for American Airlines.

Anyway, just thinkin' outside the box.

LoneStarMike

[Quiz03]

I think the solution here is to sunset the Wright Amendment. After five years the wright amendment is no more, or they could go to a mileage calculation every year a carrier could fly x miles further from Love Field i.e 600 miles in a year then the next 800 miles and so on. That would give DFW room to breathe (not that it is that needed) and Southwest has the knowledge that the wright amendment will be history in a few years and that should placate them.

[St-T]

[/QUOTE]Retaining the Wright Amendment means a stronger, more diversified DFW, with more carriers offering lower fares to a larger passenger base.* Therefore, if you are contacted, I would suggest that you let Southwest Airlines know that you would like to have the airline serve your city, if that is the case, but that you would like to see Southwest provide that service from DFW Airport, not Love Field, as originally agreed to by all parties.*

[/QUOTE]
Are you kidding me??? Retaining the Wright means a" more diversified DFW...lower fares...etc." AA will fly more than 80% of DFW flights in July. They will control pricing for almost ALL markets and historicaly the only time they have lowered prices is because they have to. Having SW fly out of a LIMITED LOVE FIELD* will not harm AA or DFW. It will force AA to keep lower fares where it competes w/ SW.


*The Love Field Master Plan limites growth of Love Field to a MAX of 32 gates. There is no room for add'l. runways. http://www.dallaslovefieldmasterplan...s/MP%20Q&A.pdf

[freewaytincan]

Duh But Airtran had really improved their image (other than the fact that they still fly those crappy DC-9s). I was just saying Walmart operating an airline wouldnt work. I wonder how those 'rollback on prices' would work with maintenance.

I hate Super 80s, horrible planes. And I hate WalMart even more.

[RobertB]

If I were the recipient of one of the DFW "butt out" letters, here's how I'd be tempted to reply:

February 9, 2005

Dear Mr. Fegan:

Last time I was in Las Vegas, a man came up to me in the hotel lobby. At the roulette wheel, he bet his life savings on black. Unfortunately, the ball landed on red. He asked for my sympathy and spare change. I was only able to satisfy one of his requests.

I have an airport to run. I and our airport board are responsible to our region and its needs. This mandate does not extend to bailing out an airport in another state just because they gambled on increased air traffic and lost.

Enclosed please find the world's smallest violin, on which you may play "My Heart Bleeds For You".

Sincerely,

John "Lucky" Doe
Chief Executive Officer
Gotham City International Airport

Enclosures:

(Smilie courtesy of this list)

[St-T]

^That is G R E A T!!!

[LakeHighlands]

Next Competition for Southwest Airlines

You have no idea how close that could have been a reality. Wal-Mart transports a ton of people and was working with a professor from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in coming up with ways to transport people efficiently. They WMT will not mess with the airline industry, but they did look into it.

Check out their airport and the number of flights they have. It’s busy!!!! You can almost get to any of the major cities directly from Bentonville. (Fayetteville). More flights to NYC from Bentonville than Little Rock. These are the airlines.


Not counting all the Wal-Mart flights. They have a huge jet fleet!!

[texman]

You know, DFW Airport telling other cities' airports to 'mind their own buisness' is completly stupid. Yeah, ok DFW Airport, what are you gonna do IF they want to repeal the Wright Amendment? Force American to stoping serving them? Yeah right.

[RobertB]

As I would never seek to alter how your airport is operated or managed, I respectfully ask that you resist any efforts to involve your airport in the repeal of the Wright Amendment.

Doesn't that sound like a two-bit thug extorting "protection" money from the local bodega? "I would hate to see your nice store get jacked, you know?"

I was actually hoping to find a good quote from one of the Godfather movies, but as good as these quotes are, I couldn't find any that quite matched. Perhaps the mob just has more class than certain airport officials...

[Mballar]

Doesn't that sound like a two-bit thug extorting "protection" money from the local bodega? "I would hate to see your nice store get jacked, you know?"

I was thinking the same thing about the letter. The letter's language conjures up visions of the Sopranos. I also think it shows just how desperate DFW is to keep Wright in place, and that they recognize they are going to be on the loosing side of this argument.

[tamtagon]

December 9, 2004*

Dear Airport Director:*
...
I urge you not to become party to any effort to repeal the Wright Amendment.* *
...
Jeffrey P. Fegan
Chief Executive Officer
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

btw, thanks for posting this letter, that's good stuff

[St-T]

It's starting....


Posted on Thu, Feb. 10, 2005

From: (City) Departure Date:
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R E L A T E D C O N T E N T

STAR-TELEGRAM ARCHIVES
Dallas Love Field in 1997, the year the Shelby Amendment added three states to the airport's service territory. Tennessee chamber officials are now pressuring Congress to repeal or significantly modify the Wright Amendment.





Tennesseans lobby against Wright law

By Maria Recio

Star-Telegram Washington Bureau


WASHINGTON - In the opening salvo of what's shaping up as a fight over the Wright Amendment, leaders of 10 chambers of commerce in Tennessee lobbied Congress on Wednesday to change the law that they say limits cheap flights between the Volunteer State and North Texas.

"The chamber is advocating repeal or significant modification of current law," said Michael Neal, president of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, which is taking the lead on the issue. "The 10 chambers all agree that the Wright Amendment should be repealed."

The position goes further than a bill introduced late last year by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., which aimed to add Tennessee to the list of states that can be served from Dallas Love Field. The Wright Amendment, enacted in 1979 to protect the fledgling Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, limited service from Love Field to cities in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico. The Shelby Amendment, passed in 1997, added Alabama, Mississippi and Kansas.

The Nashville chamber will formally announce its position today in the Tennessee capital as it unveils its 2005 legislative agenda.

"We're operating under an antiquated law that needs to be set aside for the sake of the public," said former Rep. Bob Clement, D-Tenn., the chamber's vice chairman for transportation.

Legislation has not been introduced and it is unclear whether a bill will call for outright repeal or modification of the Wright Amendment. But Neal said the chambers have gained commitments from nine members of the House and two senators -- including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. -- to introduce a bill that would increase service.

Clement said a bill could be introduced in the next 60 days. Blackburn's office said she had not announced her plans on the legislation. Asked whether he supported repeal of the Wright Amendment, Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., said: "I'm not opposed to it. It's something we should consider."

The Tennessee officials say they are working independently of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, which has also called for elimination of the Wright Amendment.

"What we're interested in is the ability to fly to Dallas at a low cost," said James Weaver, a Nashville lawyer who is the chamber's vice chairman for government relations. "It's not about one airport versus another airport or one airline versus another airline. It's about our need to get to Dallas."

Tennessee business executives have complained about the high cost of flights booked at the last minute on Fort Worth-based American Airlines to D/FW. A search on American's Web site showed a flight today from Nashville to D/FW priced at $322.20 for a one-way ticket. A Southwest fare from Nashville to Houston Hobby Airport was priced at $178 one way.

One factor prompting Nashville's activism on the issue, say chamber officials, was the opening of the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center on Lake Grapevine. The resort is owned by Nashville-based Gaylord Entertainment.

However, Gaylord Entertainment spokesman Greg Rossiter said Wednesday that the hotel property is near D/FW Airport and that the company is not taking an active role in changing the Wright Amendment.

"This is not a top priority for the company," Rossiter said.

Southwest has rejected overtures to operate from D/FW, saying the airport does not fit with its business model.

American, which controls more than 80 percent of the traffic at D/FW, supports the Wright Amendment. "If the citizens of Tennessee want Southwest service, the quickest way to get it is to encourage Southwest to provide service from D/FW," spokesman Tim Wagner said.

Nashville was once an American hub city, but the airline scaled back service there in 1995. Still, Wagner said, the carrier serves Nashville with nonstop flights to D/FW, Chicago, New York LaGuardia, Miami, St. Louis and Los Angeles.

[texman]

yay! SWA owes Tennessee big time.

[LoneStarMike]

February 9, 2005

Dear Mr. Fegan:

I have an airport to run. I and our airport board are responsible to our region and its needs. This mandate does not extend to bailing out an airport in another state just because they gambled on increased air traffic and lost.

That was great. I'd have added:

I will make my decision based on the needs of my community. If you expect me not to become involved in discussions regarding an issue that has the potential to affect my airport, then it would appear that you are indeed seeking to alter the way I manage my airport-- something you just assured me you would never do.

LoneStarMike

[St-T]

Wright amendment splits lawmakers

With some willing to side with Southwest, fight is likely to escalate


12:17 AM CST on Friday, February 11, 2005


By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News



WASHINGTON – With the push to overturn flight restrictions at Dallas Love Field heating up, a schism has emerged among North Texas lawmakers.

Three of the region's eight House members – all from the Dallas side – say it's time to loosen or scrap the 25-year-old Wright amendment.

"I think it's outlived its usefulness," Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano, said Thursday. "That doesn't mean it's going to get repealed this year."

The willingness of Dallas-area lawmakers to openly side with Southwest Airlines Co. against American Airlines Inc. represents a fresh threat to American and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Both have been scrambling to tamp down calls for a new look at the law, which limited service from Love Field to Texas and surrounding states. Eight years ago, Congress added Alabama, Mississippi and Kansas.

American chief executive Gerard Arpey had breakfast Wednesday with eight Texas lawmakers. Southwest's top lobbyist, Ron Ricks, gets his shot next week, lawmakers said.

Civic leaders in Tennessee and other states eager for long-haul service to Love Field were working Capitol Hill this week, too.

But key members of the Texas delegation remain committed to the Wright amendment, including House energy and commerce Chairman Joe Barton, R-Ennis, who represents part of Fort Worth.

"I appreciate what's best for Southwest Airlines, but that doesn't mean that's what's best for the country," he said.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, who also met with Mr. Arpey on Wednesday, is also reluctant to tamper with the law. She noted that Delta Air Lines Inc. has shut its hub at D/FW, leaving dozens of gates empty and American with an overwhelming market share.

"My responsibility is to make sure that we keep the commitments made to the two communities [Dallas and Fort Worth] for D/FW Airport to be the major airport and to stay economically healthy," she said.

Former Transportation Department official Patrick Murphy, an aviation lobbyist in Washington for airlines other than American and Southwest, said the fight is "all intramural at this point."

But any lack of unanimity among the North Texans marks a significant step in Southwest's quest, he said. "Dividing the delegation is important," he said. "The first step, and it is often the largest, is to get Congress engaged."

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, whose district stretches from East Dallas to East Texas, was also enthusiastic about repealing Love Field flight restrictions.

"Whatever rationale there was at one time for the Wright amendment, I think we have grown way beyond it," he said. "There's not one resident of the 5th Congressional District that doesn't have to drive past Love Field on the way to D/FW."

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, said that once Southwest began to oppose the amendment in November, it forced everyone to reconsider the status quo.

"We do have to look at it," Mr. Sessions said. "We need better fares. We need more competition."

Most other Dallas-area lawmakers say they're firmly behind the Wright amendment.

Several said they weren't sure how flight restrictions could legally be lifted. "A contract is a contract," said Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall.

But Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly has said "there's no written, oral, moral or ethical obligation by Southwest" to uphold the Wright amendment.

Lawmakers from beyond North Texas are staying on the sidelines, including the most powerful Texan of all, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land.

"All the activity on that is up in Dallas-Fort Worth. I'm from Houston," he said. "I'd just as soon not get into it right now, until they come to some understanding."


Tennessee's efforts

Officials with several Tennessee business groups were in Washington this week drumming up support for repeal.

Wright Amendment Letters

Letter from Nashville (pdf)

D/FW letter to Tampa (pdf)

Southwest letter to Tampa (pdf)
"The prices are entirely too high," said Bob Clement, a former Nashville congressman who is vice chairman of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce's transportation committee. "It's just not fair. It might have made sense years ago, but it's outdated and obsolete."

Mr. Clement expects to see a bill filed within a few months, and Tennesseans will use that time to find allies in other states. They're also hoping to enlist one of their own, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

But Mr. Frist remained noncommittal. "We are carefully listening to all sides and we want to make the best decision for Tennessee," said spokesman Nick Smith.

Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Flower Mound, predicted that the efforts won't bear fruit: "What happens in Tennessee stays in Tennessee."

Kevin Cox, D/FW's chief operating officer, also said he doubts Congress will alter or repeal the Wright amendment.

"We feel sure Congress will see fit to allow this issue to be resolved locally, as it was 30 years ago," he said.

He criticized efforts by Tennessee airport and business leaders.

"American has slashed their fares substantially and provided an excellent level of service at Nashville," Mr. Cox said. "If they want additional options, then they should suggest Southwest come to D/FW."


Letter campaigns

A quiet campaign has been under way for several months. In December, Southwest and D/FW wrote to several major U.S. airports seeking support.

In one letter, Mr. Ricks, a Southwest senior vice president, called the restrictions "burdensome and outdated. ... All markets currently served by Southwest Airlines have a stake in the outcome."

D/FW chief executive Jeff Fegan urged officials at other airports to stay out.

"As I would never seek to alter how your airport is operated or managed, I respectfully ask that you resist any efforts to involve your airport in the repeal of the Wright amendment," he wrote.

The president of Nashville's airport authority, Raul Regalado, replied in a letter that he could not support the "continued and individual protection" of D/FW and American.

Airport officials in Phoenix, Houston and Oakland, Calif., said Thursday that they would stay neutral. Others in Baltimore and in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., are considering the matter.

"What I have to do is what is in the best interest of our community, and that is to get as many nonstop markets as we can get, and to get as much low fare service as possible," said Louis Miller, Tampa's airport director.

Southwest spokesman Ed Stewart declined to discuss the airline's lobbying efforts Thursday. American spokesman Tim Wagner said the airline will continue to press its case in Washington.


Staff writers Suzanne Marta and Vikas Bajaj in Dallas contributed to this report.


E-mail tgillman@dallasnews.com



A WRIGHT TIMELINE


Here are key events in the recent debate over the Wright amendment:

2004

September: Delta Air Lines Inc. announces it will close its hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, reducing its daily schedule here from 254 nonstop flights to 21.

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduces a proposal that would allow flights between Dallas Love Field and Tennessee. The bill expires at the end of the session.

November: Southwest Airlines Co. CEO Gary Kelly says the carrier considered filling some of Delta’s void at D/FW, but decided against it.

Instead, Mr. Kelly calls for repeal of the Wright amendment, which restricts the carrier to serving only nearby states from its home airport, Love Field.

D/FW and American Airlines Inc. express strong support for continuing the limits. Some members of the Texas Congressional delegation agree, while others say they’re open to hearing more before deciding.

The mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth send letters to the Texas congressional delegation, expressing concern over attempts to change the Wright amendment.

December: D/FW Airport releases a study showing the North Texas economy will lose $782 million annually as a result of Delta’s move.

Dallas Mayor Laura Miller meets with Southwest chairman Herb Kelleher, and says she could envision some day lifting the Wright amendment if it wouldn’t hurt D/FW Airport.

2005

January: D/FW Airport offers free rent and other incentives to lure airlines to fill the 24 gates that Delta will vacate at the end of the month.

Southwest declines to accept the package, saying it’s still not interested in flying from D/FW. Multiple airlines express interest in the gates, D/FW says. A source says one of them is AirTran Airways Inc.

Mayor Miller meets with American CEO Gerard Arpey. Later, she and Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief ask Southwest to reconsider flying from D/FW.

February: Pace of lobbying efforts appears to pick up on Capitol Hill.


SOURCE: Dallas Morning News research

[gc]

It is getting juicy.

[LoneStarMike]

BTW, regarding the article in the Dallas Morning News about lawmakers being split, here are links to the three letters (pdf format) mentioned in the story.

DFW letter to Tampa

Southwest letter to Tampa

I don't believe Tampa will respond until after the Hillsborough Aviation Authority votes on the issue in March.

Letter from Nashville to DFW

Now I have a favor to ask. Even though I can post links to these documents, I can't actually read them myself. I'm on webtv and it just don't "do" pdf files.

I was hoping if someone had the time if they could post the text of Southwest's letter to Tampa and Nashville's letter to DFW. (I don't care about DFW's letter Tampa -- I know what it said)

A poster an another aviation site who works in airport administration in New Orleans posted a snippet of Nashviile's letter. Nashville's Director told DFW:

"To put it bluntly, the continuation of the Wright Amendment is not just a 'local matter', but negatively impacts other airports across the country, i.e., is unjustly discriminatory, is anticompetitive, and interferes with interstate commerce".

I'm dying to read the whole thing, as well as what Southwest is saying in their letter to Tampa. If someone could post the text (pretty please) I would be eternally grateful.

LoneStarMike

[Tnekster]

It IS anticompetetive, unjust and interferes with interstate commerce. I mean what other city in the US does this to another airport within it's region. Chicago? LA? NY?

Let it go already.