Southwest & Love Field Ready For 'Wright' Expiration
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - As it stands, loosened Wright Amendment laws have already made life easier for Southwest Airlines passengers who fly in and out of Dallas Love Field Airport.
With fewer and fewer Southwest passengers having to change planes and buy separate tickets for distant flights, the airline has seen an uptick in business.
"It kind of opened up a new world, as far as destinations are concerned," Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Brandy King said.
In anticipation if the final Wright Amendment restrictions going away, airport renovations have been underway and are more than halfway done.
"We are working on updating Love Field Airport, so that whenever 2014 arrives we will be able to operate non-stop flights to further destinations," said King.
More passengers are also expected at the airport since Southwest acquired AirTran Airways in 2011, an acquisition that gave the airline international destinations.
Now with increased traffic projections, the Dallas Aviation Department is concerned there may not be space in their current two parking garages.
"We've got capacity in both of them, but the Wright Amendment goes away and we see a spike in travelers… we need to be thinking now about whether or not a new parking structure is needed," Aviation Director Mark Duebner said. "And if so when it's gonna be needed and when we're gonna have to start planning for it and getting it built."
The next phase of Love Field reconstruction will be a new ticket wing that is scheduled to be complete in November.
The Wright Amendment is set to fully expire in October of 2014.
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