03 September 2005
Dave Gray's Aviation Monthly
AVIATION MONTHLY
Today I happily introduce a new column we will be running here, "Dave Gray's Aviation Monthly." Expect this column around the beginning of every month. We'll also be introducing a few more monthly columns in September, on a wide range of topics.
Dave is a professional in the aviation industry and holds a degree in aviation business from a top aerospace school. Drink from his cup of high-altitude wisdom:
The Wright Amendment 1979:
This amendment was enacted to encourage more travelers to fly out of the then brand new Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW). Dallas Love was previously Dallas’s only airport with airline service. Dallas Love Field has a competitive advantage by virtue of it being closer to downtown Dallas making it appealing to business travelers. In short, the legislation prohibits any airline from providing transportation from the airport to any state not adjacent to Texas. This would later be eased in 1997 to also allow transportation between Dallas Love and Kansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. The reason for the act was to allow the newer DFW airport to flourish and help pay off the debt that it incurred during design and construction. Airlines wanting to serve Dallas outside of this immediate region would now have no other choice but to serve the newer airport.
Now some 25years later, DFW has grown to become the 6th largest airport in the world in terms of passengers, by virtue of the American Airlines mega-hub there. Dallas-Love is not even in the top 50! Southwest Airlines who is based at Love, has requested that legislators remove this amendment and allow free competition to benefit the city of Dallas. I too strongly support removing the Wright Amendment. The larger American Airlines is lobbying to keep the act so it can protect the near monopoly it has on Dallas. Nevertheless, Southwest is no longer the little guy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they pull their HQ out of Dallas without the repeal of the act. This would be a tremendous blow to Dallas in terms of tax revenue and in terms of airline competition. Politicians have recently addressed the amendment and are in the process of deciding how they will handle the matter. All I can say is that I hope the people of Dallas will not be wronged due to a political pissing match. In the meantime stay tuned to http://www.setlovefree.com/ for updates.
Comments?
(note: the formatting on this post will be enhanced and will have working links at a later date -- I am on the road and using a stripped down browser that prevents me from using all of the blogger tools) ¶ 2:47 PM
Today I happily introduce a new column we will be running here, "Dave Gray's Aviation Monthly." Expect this column around the beginning of every month. We'll also be introducing a few more monthly columns in September, on a wide range of topics.
Dave is a professional in the aviation industry and holds a degree in aviation business from a top aerospace school. Drink from his cup of high-altitude wisdom:
The Wright Amendment 1979:
This amendment was enacted to encourage more travelers to fly out of the then brand new Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW). Dallas Love was previously Dallas’s only airport with airline service. Dallas Love Field has a competitive advantage by virtue of it being closer to downtown Dallas making it appealing to business travelers. In short, the legislation prohibits any airline from providing transportation from the airport to any state not adjacent to Texas. This would later be eased in 1997 to also allow transportation between Dallas Love and Kansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. The reason for the act was to allow the newer DFW airport to flourish and help pay off the debt that it incurred during design and construction. Airlines wanting to serve Dallas outside of this immediate region would now have no other choice but to serve the newer airport.
Now some 25years later, DFW has grown to become the 6th largest airport in the world in terms of passengers, by virtue of the American Airlines mega-hub there. Dallas-Love is not even in the top 50! Southwest Airlines who is based at Love, has requested that legislators remove this amendment and allow free competition to benefit the city of Dallas. I too strongly support removing the Wright Amendment. The larger American Airlines is lobbying to keep the act so it can protect the near monopoly it has on Dallas. Nevertheless, Southwest is no longer the little guy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they pull their HQ out of Dallas without the repeal of the act. This would be a tremendous blow to Dallas in terms of tax revenue and in terms of airline competition. Politicians have recently addressed the amendment and are in the process of deciding how they will handle the matter. All I can say is that I hope the people of Dallas will not be wronged due to a political pissing match. In the meantime stay tuned to http://www.setlovefree.com/ for updates.
Comments?
(note: the formatting on this post will be enhanced and will have working links at a later date -- I am on the road and using a stripped down browser that prevents me from using all of the blogger tools) ¶ 2:47 PM
