Southwest Paid $120 Million For Two Gates At Love Field

Thanks to repeal of the Wright amendment Dallas-based Southwest plans to expand its service and says it no longer has room for Delta’s use of two gates at the airport.

Cash payment for airport gates – and specifically gates at Love Field – emerged on Monday as a key bone of contention between the two airlines on the first day of their federal court hearing about whether Delta should continue flying at the city-owned airport. Southwest is now accommodating five daily Delta flights to Atlanta out of those gates.

Through the agreement, Southwest will own United Airlines gates till fiscal year 2028 (FY28).

Southwest also argues that Delta should be kicked out of Love Field because it already competes in the marketplace from Dallas/Fort Worth worldwide Airport.

Travelers could look at changes in plane tickets at Dallas Love Field to the extent that analysis estimate in Dallas is of the same opinion today permitting the Delta Air Lines keep short truth be told there – not less than for a good length of time. Virgin America has the other two.

“We feel Dallas is a really important city”, Shannon said.

But Delta likes Love Field’s location near a few of the most affluent neighborhoods in Dallas.

The hearing was scheduled to resume Tuesday, with testimony by more Delta Air Lines Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. executives.

“The city, Southwest and Delta indicate that they have discussed possible methods for resolving the case but have been unable to reach agreement”, Kinkeade said in an August court filing. Southwest wants Delta out by October 1.

There was a few confusion over the high cost Southwest was paying since Delta is coughing for less in its agreement which also included a swap of landing slots at NYC’s Laguardia Airport. Initially, Delta also tried to acquire the gates from United Airlines. The airline also said Southwest should lose the two gates it leases from United and the judge should make them available to any airline, not just Delta.

Southwest said in its filing that it would be “irreparably damaged if it were required to accommodate Delta’s flights” and said that would violate Southwest’s lease rights and federal protections.

In a July court filing, the city said it expects Southwest to win the fight at Love Field.

The federal agencies also are investigating why the city hasn’t taken action at Love Field.