In a David and Goliath-style battle, a legal war is raging in Washington D.C. over the future of Love Field Airport in Dallas, which could lead to new competition for American Airlines this year.
Due to the Wright Amendment, a long-standing federal law designed to protect Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the other airport in the area, Love Field, can operate only under strict limitations. Flights out of Love Field, situated close to the heart of Dallas city, are only permitted to nearby states such as Louisiana, New Mexico or Oklahoma, or to other Texan destinations. The airport is further restricted by rules governing the number of passenger seats that an aircraft operating out of Love Field can offer. Consequently, the only airline based at Love Field is Southwest Airlines, while Dallas/Fort Worth has developed into a major international airport and is American Airlines' main hub.
Love Field's days of being forgotten in the shadow of DFW, seem to be over, however. Interest in the airport from a new start-up, Legend Airlines, has sparked a legal row which now has the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth sueing one another and American pressing for continued protection for DFW. Legend, which has yet to begin operations, turned to Senator Richard Shelby, head of the Senate appropriations transportation subcommittee, for support in getting the Wright Amendment eased.
Shelby, however, has taken the cause a step further and is successfully rallying support in Washington for Love Field to become totally open, a cause that has American's chairman, Robert Crandall seeing red. 'Opening Love Field will cause the DFW hub to shrink and will reduce the travel options of everyone in the area. Two small airports won't support as much service as one big one,' says Crandall.
Southwest insists it is neutral on the subject of easing restrictions at Love Field, but is strongly opposed to any moves resulting from the legal battle between Dallas and Fort Worth which could add new restrictions. However, it 'heartily endorses' one proposal on the table, to grant airlines at Love Field the right to sell through tickets to passengers travelling beyond those destinations allowed under the Wright Amendment. Crandall conceded in December 1997 that he would have no problem with through ticketing, but the decision is out of the hands of the airlines and the airport authorities - only Congress can change the amendment.
At Love Field, the bewilderment is escalating at the fierce controversy provoked by the airport's future. 'We are just sitting here waiting to see what happens. We are not advocating or opposing anything,' says a spokesperson.
Observers believe that some easing of restrictions at Love Field is inevitable in 1998. Congress supports making adjustments, regarding this as an opportunity to allow new competition and thereby lower fares into Texas.
The airport points out that it is unique in the US because it is forced to operate under federal restrictions. 'At the end of the day, I think those in Washington will see that this is all a great ado about not very much; we don't have the room or the gates or the money to grow into a major airport over night,' says one Love Field official. 'American has paid for TV ads, campaigns and newspaper ads to get over the message that DFW would be put out of business if we opened up. We would say, "thanks for the credit, but although we know we are good, we are not that good."
Karen Walker
Source: Airline Business
