I agree with your statement that those who wish to do away with the Wright Amendment should be careful what they wish for. It is not a simple matter.
One thing that bothers me -- nothing to do with business, just ethics -- are the promises made when DFW International was built. For the new airport to thrive, it was essential that the major airlines relocate there. Both cities agreed on that. As I recall, the FAA was also pressuring Dallas to move air traffic from Love Field for safety reasons. It is closely surrounded by city, very little room for error in takeoffs and landings. Increasing the number of flights out of Love was dangerous then, and it still is today.
I just think that promises are promises, and that they should be kept even though 30+ years have passed.
If Southwest wants to fly long haul, they should just move those flights to the available empty gates at DFW and play with the big guys.
If Southwest wants to fly long haul, they should just move those flights to the available empty gates at DFW and play with the big guys.
I agree with you, but unfortunately the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals doesn't, and the US Supreme Court refused to hear a case on this issue. Southwest was not flying in 1967 when the airlines at Love Field signed the promise to move to DFW when it was opened. The 5th Circuit ruled that as long as DAL stays open as an airport, Southwest must be allowed to operate there. The city of Dallas has two choices. They can completely close Love Field and tear it down, or they can let it remain open so that general aviation can use it and various businesses at the airport can remain in operation there. There's no way that Dallas will make companies that customize and service private planes move elsewhere.
The 5th Circuit's ruling is a danger to any city in the US that wants to build a new airport for passenger service but keep the existing airport for general aviation and aviation businesses. Currently San Diego, California has the busiest airport in the US that only has one runway. Unfortunately there is no room to build another runway without condemning developed private property adjacent to the current airport. Possibly they could build a new airport further from downtown or convert an existing former naval air station to a commercial airport, but Southwest has already said they won't move. Of course without the authority to force them to move to a new airport, they can't sell bonds.