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.

FMI: www.house.gov, www.senate.gov