TxDave Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 There is a shakeup taking place at Dallas Airports.Delta is abandoning its hub at DFW. Although not a big surprise it is a little sad, Delta has a long history in Dallas (some accounts claim its first flight originated from Love Field). Delta could just not compete with the big guy at DFW - American Airlines - anymore.This development has opened a can of worms in the North Texas airport setting. DFW Airport now has several new gates to fill - just as it is about to open its new International Terminal. A few low cost carriers have been slowly growing at DFW (e.g. AirTran) and the Airport Board would like to accelerate that. Almost immediately after Delta's announcement, the airport began courting Southwest to include some flights at DFW (in addition to their moderate hub at Love Field).Southwest initially showed some interest, but soon declined because DFW was too big to allow them to operate in the manner that has made them successful (e.g. quick turns). Since then, they have actively supported a repeal of the controversial Wright Amendment, requiring Congressional action - this is the real shakeup! A little background - the Wright Amendment was passed in 1979 by a Fort Worth Congressman in order to limit flight from Love Field to Texas and its contiguous states (Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico). It was intended to protect everyone's investment in DFW. However, given that DFW is now one the five busiest airports in the world, many claim that it no longer needs any protection. Opponents of the Wright Amendment claim that it only leads to higher fares at DFW for (primarily) American Airlines.When the Wright Amendment was passed, Southwest only flew short haul flights - now it is the leading profitable domestic airlines with many cross county flights. They would like to see the restrictions raised so that they can apply their current model to the Dallas market. This is especially interesting given that Southwest's headquarters are literally located on the fringe of Love Field and their stock ticker is LUV.Meanwhile: DFW Airport officials have claimed that Southwest's position has wrecked their efforts to lure other low-cost carriers to Delta's empty gates, consumer advocates have claimed that eliminating restrictions at Love Field will dramatically reduce travel costs to/from Dallas, and Congressmen from all over the country have begun to take sides. And, although not official, folks in Fort Worth are probably preparing their own opposition - they have always been concerned (threatened) by anything at Love Field (perhaps, but not necessarily, rightly so).Anyway, after all of that background, I am interested in understanding "interested outsiders" opinions to this matter. Southwest already flies to Houston, so there are likely few price benefits there, but Houston is similar (although not exactly the same) with two airports. For example: how would you compare this to a situation where flights from Hobby were limited to Texas and neighboring states? OR would IAH have been a stronger airport if that were the case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dallasite Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 ^ Nice summary. This should be a fun filled ongoing adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fobulous Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Anyway, after all of that background, I am interested in understanding "interested outsiders" opinions to this matter. Southwest already flies to Houston, so there are likely few price benefits there, but Houston is similar (although not exactly the same) with two airports. For example: how would you compare this to a situation where flights from Hobby were limited to Texas and neighboring states? OR would IAH have been a stronger airport if that were the case?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Houston's airports will never reach the caliber of DFW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Houston's airports will never reach the caliber of DFW.Funny that it takes two cites to do what Houston can do on its own. Just wait until American goes belly-up and see what DFW becomes.They are tinkering on the brink of disaster as we speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantanamo Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 ^Wishful thinking. Someone would fill the flights up. There's a certain amount of demand along the with spaces being cheaper. I'd be surprised if AA went belly up in the near future. The low cost carriers might get to it eventually if they can ratchet up their service a lot. The problem is a lot of business snobs love AA, and that's a huge customer base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slfunk Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Waiting for bill on Love FieldAmerican VP expects Wright legislation, but nothing is filed yet 11:49 PM CST on Thursday, March 17, 2005By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning NewsWASHINGTON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banking214 Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Waiting for bill on Love FieldAmerican VP expects Wright legislation, but nothing is filed yet 11:49 PM CST on Thursday, March 17, 2005By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning NewsWASHINGTON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 The Wright Amendement is a total joke, but so was Jim Wright, and it fits perfectly into the North Texas Luv fest.But the WA created SWA, and they know it. That's why they will continue to tread lightly and dance around the topic.If they ever move to DFW, the "on time airline" will be no more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 If they ever move to DFW, the "on time airline" will be no more.Despite what Southwest has always advertised, the majority of the delayed flights (in excess of 15 minutes, and not related to weather) I've had in the last five years were on Southwest. Granted I may have just had bad luck, as out of about 175 flights I've been on since January 2000, only 25 were on Southwest. But of those, more than half were delayed at least 15 minutes due to mechanical and crew scheduling issues. When you factor in that some of those flights were one to two hours late, and were intra-Texas flights to places like Austin and Dallas, that's pretty significant.On the other hand, over 75% of those flights were on Continental and Continental Express, and probably only 3-5 of those were delayed more than 15 minutes for non-weather reasons. And none were delayed more than 30 minutes.And yes, I think the Wright Amendment is stupid, and this whole argument between Southwest and American Airlines over those two airports is ridiculous and has gone on for far too long. It's time that the Wright Amendment was lifted. If American gets upset, then fine. In no other metro area in this country do such ridiculous and unmerited limits exist on where flights from an airport can go to. The whole problem is that American has always been the big bully in the industry and has repeatedly engaged in anticompetitive practices to hold the Dallas area hostage to them, and they run to Congress and the courts everytime they don't get their way. Congress has more pressing issues to be dealing with than this garbage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
713 To 214 Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 But the WA created SWA, and they know it. That's why they will continue to tread lightly and dance around the topic.If they ever move to DFW, the "on time airline" will be no more.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Huh?? Could you explain please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 Herb, a napkin, three planes, and a bottle of Wild Turkey.Southwest Airlines filled the niche that was created becuase of the Wright Amendment (WA). SAT, HOU, DAL service all in a row. So they don't want to appear to bite the hand that created them. But deep down they just want to own DAL (aka LUV). DFW = delays. DAL = on time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 The Chronicle weighs in: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/editorial/3094468 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjb434 Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 Also, just a note to add: Delta Airlines orignated from Monroe, Louisiana. Although the airlines moved to Atlanta because of the larger base to operate from, they still hold a place for Monroe. There is a monument at the airport in Monroe to commerate it beginnings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxDave Posted April 9, 2005 Author Share Posted April 9, 2005 Delta Airlines did, in fact, begin in Monroe, Louisiana, in that its headquarters were established there.However, its first flight actually originated from Dallas on a route to Jackson, MS that included Shreveport and Monroe on the way.Here is a link with some more history:Delta History Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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