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Meanwhile at Love Field, American Eagle Flies Away to Make Room for Construction

By Robert Wilonsky in Probably Insignificant Aviation News

Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 11:26AM

And, in other airline news ... In April of last year, American Eagle dropped its Kansas City and Austin flights out of Dallas Love Field and opted instead to fly to Chicago's O'Hare. Only, for now, that too is a no-go: AMR announced today that beginning June 11, American Eagle will suspend operations out of Love Field.

For how long, well, that depends on how long it takes Love Field to wrap up a $519-and-then-some-million renovation due to begin whenever and end long after that -- because last we heard, the city didn't know who was paying for it, and nobody had even decided on a design for the terminal. But to reassure the city that it's not out for good, AMR has re-upped its lease at the airport through 2028 -- which, who knows, may be right when construction's finishing. Mayor Tom says in today's media release that "while we're disappointed that Eagle is leaving Love Field for now, we understand the reasoning behind the decision."

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9 comment(s) / Post a Comment

Eagle Watcher says:

Doesnt Leppert understand that it would be more reasonable to build a new terminal at the airport than build a road in a freaking levee and hotel no one wants?

Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 12:40PM

Jordan Like the River says:

So AMR is still leasing, but not using the gates? Sounds like they are just holding gates so that Southwest doesn't get them.

That could be just my wholesale distrust of AMR though. My AA flight from Love was the absolute worst service I have ever received, rating even worse than when I've flown within South America and southeast Asia.

Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 1:04PM

El Rey says:

AMR will sub-lease their gates to other airlines, including Southwest. AMR will make money without putting anything in the air out of LUV. They aren't making money flying their own airline; but they might be able to make money letting others fly and take their market share...

Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 1:37PM

Wylie H. says:

@El Rey: AA has a long-standing history of leasing empty gates and holding them as "blockers" at key airports. They did this at New York LaGuardia for years to keep out low cost competition.

Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 1:59PM

Wylie H. says:

As an aside, the City of Dallas has agreed to a bizarre plan at Love Field to fund the demolition of the relatively new and unused Legend Airlines terminal (something that was requested by American Airlines, the City of Fort Worth, etc.).

As evidence of the City of Dallas' negotiating prowess vis-a-vis these other parties, Dallas is funding 100% of this cost.

It seems a little odd that the City of Dallas is, on the one hand, reducing the size of its own airport, while on the other, spending money to try to attract more convention business.

Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 2:07PM

Ayn Rand says:

Do the terms of the new lease force AA to release idle gates if another airline wants to start service?

Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 5:58PM

Robert Wilonsky says:

Ayn, I will find out.

Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 6:04PM

elbow says:

Ya'll are so behind.

http://dallascityhall.com/committee_briefings/briefings0408/TEC_LoveFieldMP_Update_042808.pdf

Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 12 2009 @ 10:33PM

Eagle Watcher says:

How are we so behind? That report is a year old. Its nothing that hadnt already been posted here last year. I dont think they could force AA to release idol gates but I bet AMR would be glad to sublet them out to make some money on those gates if an airline wanted to

Posted On: Friday, Mar. 13 2009 @ 9:10AM