City Of Dallas Awards Contested Love Field Gates To Virgin America
DALLAS, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - On Monday, the City of Dallas awarded the two disputed gates at Love Field to Virgin America Airlines.
The agreement reached between the City of Dallas and Virgin America is a consent to the sub-lease to Virgin America by American Airlines. American has to give up the two gates as part of its merger agreement with US Airways.
Dallas City Manager A.C. Gonzalez released a statement saying, "Contrary to reports, this was not a competition. While initially, The City was told to expect a collaborative process, the Justice Department eventually required American Airlines to sub-lease the Love Field gates to a chosen airline. The City was presented with the sub-lease."
The competition for the gates has been fierce particularly between Virgin America and hometown candidate Southwest Airlines.
Southwest current has 16 of the 20 gates already.
"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to bring new competition to Love Field, an important airport for travelers because of its proximity to the city's central business district," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "We appreciate the support of Dallas travelers and all of the Virgin America flyers and look forward to bringing a new choice to the patrons of Love Field."
The Justice Department had recommended Virgin America in the spirit of competition between carriers.
Even after Virgin got the federal government's support, Southwest kept lobbying for the gates at the city-owned airport.
this is a developing story.
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