SWA wants to fly from HOU to MEX and SouthAmerica

[Jake Dawg]

Those councilman are the ones already on record in support of UAL/CAL having all int'l at IAH. Politics???

Council rips study painting Hobby expansion as boon

Updated 06:50 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2012

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...study-painting-Hobby-expansion-as-3486551.php



In a three-hour grilling of Houston Airports Director Mario Diaz, council members complained that the numbers in the study strained credulity, that they were kept in the dark about Southwest's pitch for at least eight months, that airport officials have been condescending and that council and others should have been asked for input before Diaz recommended approval of the Hobby expansion.

United had, perhaps, its finest day in the war over Houston's skies as council members expressed skepticism and sometimes hostility toward a study done in two months for $110,000 that is to guide council toward what the mayor called a "historic decision" in which billions of dollars are at stake for Houston.
"What may be the largest issue perhaps of the century, you all have blown it in my view," Councilman C.O. Bradford told Diaz. "This rollout simply has been a complete disaster. I mean lack of transparency, arbitrary time lines, total disregard, disrespect for council. It's just unconscionable."
'Custom-made'?
Councilman Al Hoang said, "I feel that this report is already biased, it's already custom-made just to satisfy the demand of Southwest."
A council chamber gallery usually vacant for committee meetings was packed with operatives for both airlines, which have enlisted lobbyists, former city officials, attorneys and public relations professionals to make their case to the 17-member council. Monday's hearing suggested that United's efforts have gained more traction.
Councilman Andrew Burks questioned the numbers in the report and singled out a projected fare of $133 to Bogota.
"You can't even fly from Houston to Lubbock on Southwest for $133," Burks said. "I really want to just throw this proposal out the window because, right now, when I see numbers that can't match, it just don't work for me."
United is working up its own study on the impact of an international Hobby. The two airlines are scheduled to square off in presentations before council on May 8.
Councilman Larry Green called for a new study to be done by a consultant with no recent ties to the city.

 

[Flopgut]

Hey bud, perhaps you should look what SWA did to your proud UAL/CAL in DEN. The majority of your mainline flying is gone. And if you think your superior revenue will win out, didn't work too well in DEN. Check your data for a change.

DAWG

There are 12 gates open at IAH right now. The city has them ready for you.

Glenn Tilton had more to do with what happened in DEN than SWA. Don't flatter yourself.

Those councilman are the ones already on record in support of UAL/CAL having all int'l at IAH. Politics???

Politics? You can't sugar coat the facts here. This $110,000 "study" is suspect at best. You shot yourselves in the foot. If your numbers were more realistic and these council members still had these thngs to say, you could cry "politics"....

 

[Double Shot]

Sugar coat the facts??? We all are still waiting for this agreement you spoke of you know...the one were you said all international flying was to be done out of iah. Sugar coating flop your just plain out lying.

Show us this bs agreement. That's right you can't

 

[nimtz]

According to Forbes article LUV wants a $100 mil hand out from Houston for this 'set free competition' project. Sorry folks that is BS. LUV needs to pay to build the facility and staff it. Otherwise go to IAH.

 

[texman]

It will not cost the city a dime!

 

[redflyer65]

Wasn't it being added to the fare at 1.50 per passenger? Houston will just reap in more landing fees and incoming business. No brainer guys.

 

[waveflyer]

According to Forbes article LUV wants a $100 mil hand out from Houston for this 'set free competition' project. Sorry folks that is BS. LUV needs to pay to build the facility and staff it. Otherwise go to IAH.

I did a quick search and did not find the article. Got a link?

 

[nimtz]

It will not cost the city a dime!

Feel free to refute the writer.
"It has brazenly asked Houston’s airport authority to pay nearly $100 million to upgrade Hobby to receive international flights."
Poor LUV. It's tough to be the little guy fighting big bullies.

http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/04/17/united-southwest-houston/?source=yahoo_quote

 

[madjack]

From the article: "The upgrade would allow Southwest to use Hobby to launch truly competitive international air service to the same locations where Continental has held an almost near-monopoly in non-stop service for years. This would, invariably, force Continental to lower prices on competing routes or to even pull out of some them completely if Southwest is able to put enough pressure on its margins."


I would be very worried if I was at UCAL

 

[Furloughed80]

I would be very worried if I was at UCAL

Why? What is going to happen?