The Prussian
Stecknadelkopf
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2005
- Posts
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Nebraska congressmen lobbying for service from Southwest
Thursday May 18, 6:39 pm ET
Nebraska wants some Love.
Several Nebraska congressman are backing a bill for Nebraska to become the 10th state to be exempted from Wright Amendment restrictions that limit flights from Dallas' Love Field to short-haul flights to a few surrounding states, said a spokeswoman for the congressman.
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV - News), which flies out of Dallas Love Field, has been battling for repeal of the 1979 federal law since last year.
On Thursday, Reps. Lee Terry, R-Neb., Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., and Tom Osborne, R-Neb., introduced legislation to amend the Wright Amendment to allow certain air carriers serving Omaha's Eppley Airfield to provide service between Love Field and the greater Omaha area.
"The Wright Amendment is an outdated piece of legislation which decreases competition and keeps Nebraskans from getting the lowest possible airfares," Fortenberry said. "Our neighbors to the east, Missouri, recently received this exemption and prices are now more competitive for flights to Dallas in their state."
Missouri successfully gained exemption from the Wright Amendment restrictions late last year, as part of a transportation spending bill passed in November.
Shortly after, Southwest began flying to St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo. Fort Worth-based American Airlines (NYSE: AMR - News), the fortress carrier at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, began in March began offering flights out of Love Field for the first time since the 9/11 attacks.
American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said the airline would be putting out a statement later Thursday.
Southwest said in statement on its Web site, that the airline "applauds Congressman Terry and his colleagues for their decision to move forward on this bill."
The greater Omaha area has about 800,000 residents.
"This is all about competition and giving air travelers from Omaha's Eppley airport more choices and lower prices, especially at a time when high fuel prices are forcing the airlines to raise their fares," Terry said.
Web sites: www.aa.com and www.southwest.com
Published May 18, 2006 by the Dallas Business Journal</I>
Interesting item for discussion. Seems to give added pressure for the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth to speed up their talks on a compromise. Or...do you think this could unravel the whole compromise initiative, with other states attempting the same moves? Any thoughts?
Thursday May 18, 6:39 pm ET
Nebraska wants some Love.
Several Nebraska congressman are backing a bill for Nebraska to become the 10th state to be exempted from Wright Amendment restrictions that limit flights from Dallas' Love Field to short-haul flights to a few surrounding states, said a spokeswoman for the congressman.
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV - News), which flies out of Dallas Love Field, has been battling for repeal of the 1979 federal law since last year.
On Thursday, Reps. Lee Terry, R-Neb., Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., and Tom Osborne, R-Neb., introduced legislation to amend the Wright Amendment to allow certain air carriers serving Omaha's Eppley Airfield to provide service between Love Field and the greater Omaha area.
"The Wright Amendment is an outdated piece of legislation which decreases competition and keeps Nebraskans from getting the lowest possible airfares," Fortenberry said. "Our neighbors to the east, Missouri, recently received this exemption and prices are now more competitive for flights to Dallas in their state."
Missouri successfully gained exemption from the Wright Amendment restrictions late last year, as part of a transportation spending bill passed in November.
Shortly after, Southwest began flying to St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo. Fort Worth-based American Airlines (NYSE: AMR - News), the fortress carrier at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, began in March began offering flights out of Love Field for the first time since the 9/11 attacks.
American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said the airline would be putting out a statement later Thursday.
Southwest said in statement on its Web site, that the airline "applauds Congressman Terry and his colleagues for their decision to move forward on this bill."
The greater Omaha area has about 800,000 residents.
"This is all about competition and giving air travelers from Omaha's Eppley airport more choices and lower prices, especially at a time when high fuel prices are forcing the airlines to raise their fares," Terry said.
Web sites: www.aa.com and www.southwest.com
Published May 18, 2006 by the Dallas Business Journal</I>
Interesting item for discussion. Seems to give added pressure for the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth to speed up their talks on a compromise. Or...do you think this could unravel the whole compromise initiative, with other states attempting the same moves? Any thoughts?
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