Fri, Jul 14, 2006
But Some Question Airport Limits
Is the end to all the Wright-wrangling going on in North Texas
now in sight? It could be... as on Thursday, Texas Senator Kay
Bailey Hutchinson introduced a bill containing the agreement reached by
officials from Dallas and Fort Worth, American and Southwest
Airlines and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in June.
"The agreement upon which this legislation is based represents a
commitment by local officials and members of the Texas delegation
to work together in the best interest of the Dallas and Fort Worth
communities and the state of Texas," read a statement by
Hutchison.
The Associated Press reports the bill comes one day after
members of the Texas congressional delegation urged the House to
approve the legislation containing the agreement -- and, to do so
without any changes.
That may be tough, however -- as some legislators, including
Minnesota Representative Jim Oberstar, have questioned the
regulation of the number of available gates at Love Field
(currently 20, split up between Southwest, American and Continental
Express) under the agreement. And some North Texas legislators are
saying they won't support a bill that restricts future airline
service at outlying airports -- such as Fort Worth Meacham (KFTW),
and Collin County Regional Airport (KTKI) in McKinney -- within an
80-mile radius of Love Field.
Supporters of the bill were able to celebrate a victory,
however, as Rep. Joe Barton, chairman of the Energy and Commerce
Committee, who had previously vowed to fight a repeal of the Wright
Amendment -- threw his support behind the agreement.
Legislators have until the end of this year to get the bill
approved in Congress -- as the agreement will be void after that
date, without approval by all parties involved to keep it
alive.
In a busy election year, that may be difficult. Then again,
stranger things have already happened... like the Wright agreement
in the first place.
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