citykid09 Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 http://www.theeagle.com/stories/022806/bus...20060228040.php Phoenix courting Southwest Associated Press DALLAS - Phoenix officials have met with executives from Southwest Airlines Co. to discuss the low-cost carrier moving its headquarters from Dallas and may make a formal offer, according to officials for the city and the airline. Southwest officials say several other cities have also approached the airline, which is locked in a dispute about expanding at its home, Dallas Love Field. Southwest has declined to identify the other bidding cities. The airline was also miffed last week when Dallas increased landing fees at Love Field by 57 percent beginning in April to raise an extra $1 million a year. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon spoke with Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly by phone about a possible move recently, and he dropped in last week when city airport officials were having lunch with Southwest representatives, said the mayor's press secretary, Scott Phelps. "It wasn't a hard sell, with PowerPoint presentations and all that," Phelps said. "He said, 'If you really want to move, we'll help you get where you want to go."' A Southwest spokesman, Ed Stewart, said that Phoenix officials indicated they will make another pitch but a meeting has not yet been scheduled. "They came knocking, saying that 'We're a city that knows how to appreciate a good employer, unlike others, love to sit down and talk about it,"' Stewart said. He said Kelly believes that the airline owes Phoenix "the courtesy to hear you out." Southwest is the second-largest operator at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport behind US Airways, which includes the former America West and is now headquartered in Phoenix. Dallas how stupid!!!! Don't lose Southwest airlines because of Love Field, Do anything you can to keep Southwest based in Texas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 And now, for the rest of the story:Mr. Kelleher said in an interview Tuesday that Southwest agreed to Phoenix's request for a meeting only because of its close relationship with the city, where it already has a significant operation. Mr. Kelleher linked Southwest's consideration of moving directly to what happens in the Wright fight, which may be inching toward resolution.http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...t.11fc7c8a.html----------------Herb is bluffing.PRINT IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonDFW Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Dallas how stupid!!!! Either you think Dallas is stupid because it raised the landing fees, or because of Wright.1) Landing fees - they were raised the minimum amount, and are near the lowest in the nation. They are about what they were 25 years ago, not including inflation. Often 1/10th or less of what other airports charge.2) Wright - Wright is a national decision. Dallas doesn't have nearly the influence as people think on the matter. Fort Worth actually has more lobbying power to keep it there. If Houston wants to push to get it repealed (likely at the short term expense of some Hobby flights) then please go ahead, I personally would appreciate it.Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 IMHO both Dallas and Ft. Worth are "stupid" on this issue.Just create an airport system that merges DFW and DAL like we have in Houston.Amon Carter's ghost is loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slfunk Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 IMHO both Dallas and Ft. Worth are "stupid" on this issue.Just create an airport system that merges DFW and DAL like we have in Houston.Amon Carter's ghost is loving it.City leaders are already toying with that idea. I personally would rather see the Wright Amendment lifted before they did anything like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Well, let's see here American Airlines gets back in the game at Love Field to try and compete with Southwest once again, I don't think Southwest is gonna lose any sleep over this, so they probably won't move base operations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 I don't think Hobby will lose any flights either way. Maybe a couple on the DAL-TUL routes.But Southwest is thinking growth - not about getting smaller.http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...2.1dbca78d.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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