Critics Question Safety; JetBlue, NWA Want Some Love (Field),
Too
Despite the recent
landmark agreement between Southwest Airlines, American Airlines,
and Dallas and Fort Worth city governments on eliminating the
Wright Amendment, there is still a lot of wrangling going on in
North Texas... and now, the halls of Congress.
The landmark agreement on the fate of air
travel out of Dallas' Love Field has been met with
accolades from many legislators, and has the widespread support of
the airlines involved, the city governments... and even most Texas
lawmakers.
But, alas, you just knew it wouldn't be THAT easy... and even as
the mayors of Fort Worth and Dallas, and top executives from
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines lobbied Congress Tuesday
to win support on Capitol Hill for the compromise they crafted...
some voices of dissent were growing louder, as well.
Dallas Representative Jeb Hensarling, for example, called the
agreement "an eight-year extension of the Wright agreement"
-- something he opposes vehemently, especially as he wrote the
original bill, calling for the repeal of Wright, that started the
whole brouhaha one year ago.
Other representatives have also voiced concern that despite
terms meant to keep traffic into and out of Love at manageable
levels.... that increased service availability from the inner-city
airport would lead to more planes in the air... and a greater
potential for something to go wrong.
And then there are other airlines... in particular, JetBlue and
Northwest, who on Tuesday came out in opposition of the Wright
Agreement, arguing that the proposed deal is unfair to competing
airlines and would keep new service locked out of Dallas Love
Field.
Both are attacking the agreement for the same reason... but from
slightly different angles. Executives with JetBlue Airways called
the agreement "an anti-competitive deal that was put together by
two carriers in a backroom," and said the low-cost carrier is VERY
interested in starting service from Love... but wouldn't be able to
under the proposed deal.
And then there's Northwest... which revealed this week it had
apparently considered starting indirect service at Love through
regional operator, Pinnacle Airlines. The Fort Worth Star Telegram
reports Pinnacle had its eye on the old Legend terminal at Love
Field... but that deal fell through after Dallas Mayor Laura Miller
decided she wanted to seize the property, and then destroy the
terminal in order to reduce gate space at the airport.
For now... everyone's plans for Love are up in the air... but
one thing seems certain: as history has shown with all matters
dealing with the Wright Amendment... this is not going to be an
easy fight.
Bolen Gives Congress a Rare Thumbs-Up
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