Well the problem is Bubba, the two previous Houston mayors were perfectly happy to extract enormous sums from Continental to build a huge airport under the pretext that Denver was legitimate and that IAH would be the marketplace.
Why? Did you bribe them? Apparently not enough to ensure that you got your say in SWA matters.
We built a lot of gates at IAH for all sorts of airlines to come in and compete. SWA is building five total, and 4 are SWA only?! Yeah, that's competition, in your world.
That's BS. Continental built nothing for "other airlines' benefit." Municipal bonds built the majority of IAH, with Continental paying mainly for it's airline-specific stuff. Southwest is actually paying to build the building itself at HOU, with one extra gate for whomever. If there's more demand (right now, there's absolutely none), then the airport will expand further. That's how it works. That's how ALL airports work, including HOU and IAH.
I think it's not only important to take a 30,000 foot view, but also a long term view. Here is a prediction I have, and it's based on what SWA behavior was at Love: You're not done yet crafting your operation at Hobby; This is a multi year project. There will be competitors moving into Hobby, and it's not going to go well for you. You guys think you're going offshore into a world that you'll easily succeed in. You're actually opening up a main artery to the entire SWA domestic market for some growing airlines South of the border. You think they're going to be happy sharing ONE gate? You think they're going to build their own terminal outside their own Country?
I don't know how many, if any, foreign carriers will want to fly into HOU. Nor do you. But MY prediction is that most of them will want to go to IAH because they have code shares with you; we don't code share with anyone. Again, if more demand appears for HOU, then the airport will grow further. Do you
really not know how this stuff works?
I don't know for sure what you're up to, but I know it's coming. I would guess there is some legal maneuver, and SWA will want some federal help making sure the competition has to go to IAH for a certain period of time [years].
Uh, Southwest has NEVER asked the Feds (or anyone else) to interfere with another airline's operations. That's YOUR airline that you're thinking of that does that, so I can see how you might make that mistake.
Or there will be some attempt at amending international airline agreements between Countries? Or maybe the chips will fall how they should and you get your ass kicked. I'd love to be a part of that. I'd fly a 757 for $100/hr as a captain if my airline would line up next to yours. I'd probably pay for my training too. Why not? Worked pretty good for you guys.
Southwest
always let the chips fall where they may. We do our thing, and the competition is welcome to do their thing, or even to imitate us. And, of course, your airline is welcome to "line up next to ours" at Hobby. Use the free gate, or build your own. Whatever you want.
The fact is, that you guys
want to fly out of IAH; you'd lose money at HOU without your domestic feed (just like we would at IAH without
our domestic feed--but of course, that's
your self-serving idea of "fair" competition). And clearly, HOU is not big enough for the massive Houston hub that you need. But on the other hand, I'm sure that your bosses would be grateful to hear you volunteering to fly 757s for $100/hr! What a guy!
Bubba