"Southwest threatens HQ move if Wright restrictions continue"

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Southwest threatens HQ move if airport restrictions continue
By Mike Sunnucks 
The Phoenix (AZ) Business Journal


Southwest Airlines is threatening to move its headquarters out of Dallas and
to another major operations hub such as Phoenix, Houston, Baltimore, Las
Vegas or Chicago, if a federal restriction on flights into north Texas is
not lifted. 
 
Southwest already has 4,200 employees in Phoenix. 

Southwest wants the federal government to lift the Wright Amendment, which
limits flights from one of Dallas' airports. If that does not happen,
Southwest executives say they will relocate their corporate base out of
Dallas and to another hub, such as Phoenix or Houston. 

The Wright Amendment limits flights from Dallas' Love Field Airport to
short-haul trips to a handful of states bordering, or near, Texas. 

Dallas-based Southwest -- which flies out of Love -- wants to repeal the
Wright Amendment so it can begin offering long-haul service out of that
airport. 

Southwest also argues that lifting the Wright restrictions will boost
competition to western cities and help lower fares in Texas and other
markets, including Phoenix. Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has fought to lift
airport restrictions in New York and Washington D.C., also wants to repeal
the Wright Amendment. 

American Airlines and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport oppose
Southwest's efforts, preferring the discount airline fly out of DFW Airport.


Southwest spokeswoman Whitney Eichinger said a headquarters move is not
eminent but if the airline cannot fly longer flights into Love Field it will
be difficult to have meetings at its Dallas base. 

She mentioned Phoenix as well as other major operations hubs as possible
sites for a headquarters move. 

Southwest and Tempe-based US Airways are the top two carriers at Phoenix Sky
Harbor International Airport and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. 

A spokesman of the Arizona Department of Commerce was not aware of any
discussions between the state and the Texas airline. 

For more: www.southwestairlines.com


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