March 24, 2014
On November 2, 2014, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) plans to begin daily service between Hobby Airport and Reagan Washington National Airport.
The expanded Hobby airport flight schedule is part of a wider expansion of Southwest flights at Reagan National. The airline gained additional terminal and gate space at Reagan after the merger of American Airlines with US Airways in 2013.
In order to settle anti-trust concerns by the US Justice Department, American Airlines & US Airways gave up some of their gates at WDC Reagan and Dallas Love Field.
SW Airlines, Delta, and Virgin America airlines are all still involved in competition for the gates that are opening up at Dallas Love airport.
Until expiration of the Wright Amendment in October 2014, Dallas Love Airport is limited to flights to nearby states. This restriction was imposed when Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport was built, to ensure that the new ariport had sufficient traffice to be profitable. That airport long past needing help to attract traffic. When the legal restriction ends in November, Love Field will be open to flights to other airports across the nation.
Southwest Airlines is based in Dallas, and already has a large presence at Dallas Love Airport.