V1Cutt: A 50/50 deal huh? You only use 14 gates at Love. Here you go...read:
AP
Officials Near Agreement on Love Field
Friday June 9, 9:29 pm ET
By David Koenig, AP Business Writer Officials Near Deal That May Slowly End Restrictions on Long Flights at Love Field in Dallas
DALLAS (AP) -- Local officials are close to a deal that could gradually end restrictions on long flights at a scaled-down Love Field, where Southwest Airlines Co. and American Airlines are pitted in a battle for travelers.
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The mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth have agreed to seek a 9-year phase-out of restrictions on long-haul flights and allow immediate through-ticketing at Love Field, according to a Dallas official close to the negotiation.
The official, who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because of the stakes involved between the two airlines, said the agreement would also reduce Love Field from 32 gates to 20 gates. Other details, including whether Fort Worth-based American will be asked to leave Love Field, have not been settled, the official said.
A spokesman for Dallas Mayor Laura Miller said there was no deal yet, and declined to comment further.
An American Airlines spokesman was adamant Friday that the nation's largest airline isn't interested in leaving Love Field, where it resumed flights in March to cities in Texas and Missouri.
"We cannot imagine American moving out of Love Field under any circumstances, short of the Wright Amendment remaining fully in place," said American spokesman Tim Wagner.
American would be forced to give up its best Dallas customers to Southwest if it exited Love Field, Wagner said.
Dallas-based Southwest is lobbying Congress to repeal a 1979 law, called the Wright Amendment, that limits most commercial flights from Love Field to Texas and nearby states. American, a unit of AMR Corp., and DFW Airport officials oppose repealing the law, which could result in more travelers and flights shifting to Love Field.
Miller and Fort Worth Mayor Michael Moncrief hope to complete a deal before they are scheduled to meet Wednesday at a Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport hotel.
A spokeswoman for Southwest declined to say whether Southwest would agree to the deal being negotiated by the mayors.
"It's obvious that the momentum is moving in the direction of repealing the Wright Amendment, but not a lot of light has been shed on the details, so there's a lot of conjecture swirling," said Southwest spokeswoman Ginger Hardage.
Southwest has indicated willingness to accept at least one portion of a possible deal -- a smaller Love Field.
Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly has said his airline would be willing to give up some of its seven unused gates at Love Field if the Wright Amendment is repealed. Love Field has 32 gates. Southwest has 14 active gates besides the seven it isn't using. American has three that it refurbished and began using in March. Continental Airlines Inc. has two, and six on the other side of the field have been idle for more than five years, since startup Legend Airlines failed.
AP
Officials Near Agreement on Love Field
Friday June 9, 9:29 pm ET
By David Koenig, AP Business Writer Officials Near Deal That May Slowly End Restrictions on Long Flights at Love Field in Dallas
DALLAS (AP) -- Local officials are close to a deal that could gradually end restrictions on long flights at a scaled-down Love Field, where Southwest Airlines Co. and American Airlines are pitted in a battle for travelers.
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The official, who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because of the stakes involved between the two airlines, said the agreement would also reduce Love Field from 32 gates to 20 gates. Other details, including whether Fort Worth-based American will be asked to leave Love Field, have not been settled, the official said.
A spokesman for Dallas Mayor Laura Miller said there was no deal yet, and declined to comment further.
An American Airlines spokesman was adamant Friday that the nation's largest airline isn't interested in leaving Love Field, where it resumed flights in March to cities in Texas and Missouri.
"We cannot imagine American moving out of Love Field under any circumstances, short of the Wright Amendment remaining fully in place," said American spokesman Tim Wagner.
American would be forced to give up its best Dallas customers to Southwest if it exited Love Field, Wagner said.
Dallas-based Southwest is lobbying Congress to repeal a 1979 law, called the Wright Amendment, that limits most commercial flights from Love Field to Texas and nearby states. American, a unit of AMR Corp., and DFW Airport officials oppose repealing the law, which could result in more travelers and flights shifting to Love Field.
Miller and Fort Worth Mayor Michael Moncrief hope to complete a deal before they are scheduled to meet Wednesday at a Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport hotel.
A spokeswoman for Southwest declined to say whether Southwest would agree to the deal being negotiated by the mayors.
"It's obvious that the momentum is moving in the direction of repealing the Wright Amendment, but not a lot of light has been shed on the details, so there's a lot of conjecture swirling," said Southwest spokeswoman Ginger Hardage.
Southwest has indicated willingness to accept at least one portion of a possible deal -- a smaller Love Field.
Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly has said his airline would be willing to give up some of its seven unused gates at Love Field if the Wright Amendment is repealed. Love Field has 32 gates. Southwest has 14 active gates besides the seven it isn't using. American has three that it refurbished and began using in March. Continental Airlines Inc. has two, and six on the other side of the field have been idle for more than five years, since startup Legend Airlines failed.