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Current News
March 11, 2007
Love has been set free! Today, Southwest Airlines begins additional service to cities that were previously restricted by the Wright Amendment. We are now able to offer one-stop, same plane or connecting service itineraries to and from Dallas Love Field to 43 cities beyond the Wright Amendment area. The new schedule offers additional one-stop service to destinations such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Baltimore, Orlando, and Tampa, to name a few. Please log on to southwest.com to check out the routes and frequencies available to and from Love Field.
Click here for a service map to and from Dallas Love Field.
November 1, 2006
Thank You Congress!
Love has been Set Free! Southwest Airlines began offering additional service from Love Field on October 19, 2006. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the senators and congresspersons who voted to support the Wright Amendment Reform Act. The senate passed the bill by unanimous consent, meaning that all 100 senators approved the bill. If you would also like participate in this effort, please enter your zip code in the “Take Action” box above, and it will direct you to our online advocacy tools to email your legislators.
The Wright Amendment Reform Act Voting Tally
October 13, 2006
President Bush Signs the Wright Amendment Reform Act!
Hooray! President Bush has signed S.3661, the Wright Amendment Reform Act of 2006. Now, only one other step is required before the law becomes effective. Section 7 of the bill, entitled "Effective Date," specifies that the law will take effect on the date that the FAA Administrator notifies Congress that any new aviation operations in North Texas occurring as a result of this new-found freedom to fly can be accommodated without adverse effect on the airspace. The FAA has already testified before Congress that any new operations can be handled without a problem, so we expect this notification to be forthcoming shortly. But, we cannot control the timing. So stay tuned. Only one more step to go before Freedom reigns!
September 29, 2006
Congress passed the Wright Amendment Reform Act today! Once this bill is signed into law by the President, it will allow more choices for low fares, immediate through ticketing from Love Field to cities throughout the United States, and the full repeal of the Wright Amendment within eight years. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters over the past two years. Thank you for participating in our grassroots campaigns to change the law. Congress heard your voice. We hope you enjoy the new low fare options to and from Dallas Love Field!
Current article
Dallas Morning News-Sept. 28, 2006 Wright deal set for House on Friday
Positive Economic Benefits of Through Ticketing Study
July 21, 2006
On July 18, Congressman Don Young, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced into the House of Representatives, HR 5830, a bill reflecting the Wright Amendment compromise. Bipartisan cosponsors of the bill include Congressmen John Mica, Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, Jim Oberstar, ranking minority leader of the Aviation Subcommittee, and Texas Congresspersons, Sam Johnson, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Joe Barton, Kenny Marchant, Pete Sessions, John Burgess, Kay Granger, Ralph Hall, Chet Edwards, Louis Gohmert, Ted Poe, and John Culberson. Both the House and the Senate (S 3661) bills were considered by, and reported out of, their respective authorizing committees on Wednesday, July 19. Minor differences in the bills are likely to be resolved shortly. Both bills will soon be ready to go to the full House and Senate for a vote, allowing for a quick resolution to this issue.
To view both bills, please click on the links below:
S 3661
HR 5830
July 17, 2006
Wright Amendment Compromise Legislation
On July 13, 2006, Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison introduced legislation (S. 3661) which reflects the Wright Amendment compromise between the Cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW International Airport, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines. A companion bill in the House of Representatives is expected to be introduced shortly. All five parties referenced above have agreed to support the pending legislation. It is important that Congress pass this legislation by December 31, 2006, or this compromise will be considered null and void, unless all parties agree to an extension. The legislation will allow Americans the Freedom to Fly, offering more choices and lower fares, effective the day it is signed into law.
To read the compromise, click here.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES STATEMENT
Airline Responds to Announcement Regarding Wright Amendment
Read the Joint Statement
DALLAS—June 15, 2006—Southwest Airlines joined with the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, American Airlines, and DFW International Airport today to announce all parties have agreed to seek the enactment of legislation to repeal the Wright Amendment.
At a news conference in Dallas today, Southwest Airlines Executive Chairman Herb Kelleher said:
“I have been involved in litigation, legislative struggles, and cuss fights over Love Field since 1972—a period of 34 years. The fact that Southwest Airlines stands here today—stands here with Fort Worth, DFW Airport, American Airlines, and the City of Dallas indicates, I believe, that there must be hope for world peace. And peace—and good will—is the essence of our agreement—not to mention certainty, stability, and tranquility. Under the perseverant Leadership of the Mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth—who have literally worked day and night to bring this “Peace Pact” into being, our swords are truly being turned into plowshares. As with any difficult and complicated transaction, all sides, all parties, have been compelled to make sacrifices—to yield on firmly held positions—to moan and groan and agonize over decisions and mutual concessions. The only victor—the only sure fire winner—from this agreement—is the public—the public citizen who will find it easier and far less expensive to travel to and from North Texas for business and personal reasons—the citizens who will reap vast economic benefits in their communities from enhanced travel and tourism—at a lower cost. On behalf of the public, we stand shoulder to shoulder with American Airlines, DFW Airport, and with the Mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth, in urging the City Councils of Dallas and Fort Worth—and in urging the U.S. Congress—to speedily approve the implementation of our agreement. Peace—truly enduring peace—be with all of you—and with all of us.”
The agreement is subject to Congress taking action on the proposed legislation.
“Today’s historic agreement will benefit the public in terms of convenient connecting service and low fares from North Texas to the rest of the vast Southwest Airlines route network as soon as Congress acts,” said Southwest CEO Gary Kelly. “We’re trading certainty for uncertainty with this agreement, and it will allow us to plan for the future; it will allow us to reinvest in Dallas Love Field, our hometown airport; and it will allow us the opportunity to grow.”
www.southwest.com
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