City Leaders Urge Airline To Accept DFW Offer Of Free Rent, $22
Million In Incentives
The mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth
Monday expressed dismay that Southwest Airlines declined to extend
its codeshare agreement with ATA Airlines to passengers at DFW
International Airport.
Southwest announced late Thursday it would codeshare flights
with ATA through Chicago Midway Airport from eleven airports, from
New York City to Honolulu. The codeshare agreement means that
passengers may book their flights on Southwest and seamlessly
travel on ATA flights to their final destinations. Southwest could
have chosen to codeshare at DFW through ATA, which operates 8
flights daily from DFW to Chicago Midway Airport and Indianapolis,
with no additional operational costs.
The codeshare agreement's inclusion of DFW Airport could have
resulted in lower fares for many of DFW's most popular
destinations, including New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Oakland,
Providence, and Hartford. "With so many cities included in the
codeshare agreement, the apparent decision to carve DFW out of the
agreement is truly unfortunate for North Texas travelers," said DFW
Chief Operating Officer Kevin Cox.
"My goal is to have more choices at DFW and Southwest Airlines
could have the best of both worlds here in North Texas," said
Dallas Mayor Laura Miller. "With the flip of a switch, Southwest
could offer codeshare service from DFW. I hope that Southwest will
reconsider its codeshare decision. It's yet another simple way to
get more low fare travel choices for our hometown flyers. We also
truly hope Southwest is still seriously considering the Terminal E
incentive program."
Last week, DFW announced its Terminal E Leasing and Air Service
Incentive Program, aimed at filling the 24 gates being vacated by
Delta Air Lines by the end of January 2005. The incentive package
was offered to more than 40 airlines - including Southwest -
highlighted by free rent in Terminal E for one year and up to
$22-million worth of available incentives.
Any airline accepting the offer would be required to meet
certain departure levels, based on the number of gates leased, with
at least 70% of new seats dedicated to markets listed in DFW's Top
50 destinations and currently not served by the airline from
DFW.
"With a few computer keystrokes, Southwest could begin bringing
its service to DFW immediately through ATA, and down the road give
DFW travelers more flight options by bringing its own planes here,"
said Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief. "We hope Southwest will
continue to consider DFW's aggressive incentive package to come to
Terminal E. It's the right deal at the right price and the right
time to unite North Texas for the benefit of all local
passengers."