American, Southwest Agree To Support Wright Amendment Repeal

American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth today finally unified to seek legislation to repeal the Wright Amendment—a highly contentious piece of legislation from the 1970s that promoted a then-fledgling Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport while restricting air service at crosstown Dallas Love Field. The parties have reached a number of compromises, AMR Corp. CEO Gerard Arpey said, that are being drafted into proposed legislation to be presented for congressional approval.

American Airlines and Southwest for years had been diametrically opposed on the issue. In its simplest terms, Southwest sought to overturn the Wright Amendment, as it would allow the carrier and any other airline to fly from Love Field to any U.S. city, beyond the current perimeter, which encircles Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi and states that border Texas. American, meanwhile, had insisted the Wright Amendment should not be changed, and if Southwest wants to fly from Dallas to cities not permissible under current regulations, it should do so from DFW.

Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said the agreement "will allow us to reinvest in Dallas Love Field, our hometown airport; and it will allow us the opportunity to grow."

"I have been involved in litigation, legislative struggles and cuss fights over Love Field since 1972—a period of 34 years," Southwest Airlines Executive Chairman Herb Kelleher said. "The fact that Southwest Airlines stands here today—stands here with Fort Worth, DFW Airport, American Airlines and the City of Dallas, indicates, I believe, that there must be hope for world peace."