Southwest unmoved by DFW stunt
Southwest unmoved by D/FW stunt
By DAVID KOENIG
Associated Press
DALLAS - Unable to woo Southwest Airlines with an offer of $22 million and free rent, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport tried a publicity stunt to lure the low-cost carrier Friday.
Regional airport hired a plane to drag a banner over Southwest's headquarters, imploring the airline to begin flying from D/FW. They also released a survey showing that most D/FW travelers want Southwest to operate at the big airport.
Dallas/Fort Worth is fighting Southwest's bid to operate long flights from Love Field, near downtown Dallas.
If Congress backs Southwest's effort to repeal a 1979 law limiting Love Field flights, the low-cost carrier could compete directly with D/FW's major tenant, American Airlines, for travel to and from Dallas.
A Southwest spokeswoman said the fly-over and survey wouldn't change the airline's mind.
More than 100 D/FW employees were bused to the press conference near Love Field. Michael Baldwin, D/FW's assistant vice president of revenue management, led the group in cheers.
Southwest executives were busy at headquarters and missed the fly-over, spokeswoman Brandy King said, adding, "but we appreciate DFW's costly gesture."