Virgin America: We have a deal for AA's Gates
04-25-2014, 10:57 AM
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Virgin America: We have a deal for AA's Gates
Virgin America announced it would begin selling tickets for its planned flights at Dallas Love Field, touting fares as low as $79 each way on routes to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington.
It's the latest development in a three-airline scramble to win two gates that American Airlines must give up at the airport as part of an agreement that cleared the way for it to merge with US Airways.
Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines also want to take control of the gates. Adding an additional layer of complexity to the fight for the Dallas gates, Delta currently is subleasing the gates that American must give up.
As for Virgin America's schedule announcement, the carrier indicated it has reached a deal to secure the Love Field gates.
"We have a signed gate-transfer agreement with American that has been approved by the (DOJ) Department of Justice," Virgin America spokeswoman Abby Lundardini says in an e-mail to Today in the Sky. "American was instructed by the DOJ to divest the gates to Virgin America as a low-fare, new-entrant airline -- to ensure there is some competition in this market."
The deal would still need to be OK'd by the city of Dallas, which owns the airport.
On that point, Lunardini says: "At present, Love Field is monopoly-controlled by one carrier -- with 80% control of the gates. We are confident the city will approve the agreement, as this is a win for Dallas consumers in terms of fares and service."
Southwest already controls 16 of the 20 gates at Love Field.
TODAY IN THE SKY: Virgin America eyes focus city at Dallas Love Field (March 2014)
If Virgin America is cleared for the flights at Dallas Love Field, it would end its existing service at Dallas/Fort Worth. Virgin America plans to fly from Dallas Love Field to five major business destinations: New York LaGuardia, Washington Reagan National (DCA), Chicago O'Hare, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
However, it was just Thursday night that key parties said they believed a decision on the Love Field gates to still be weeks away.
"The city of Dallas is aware of the interest among several carriers to operate out of two of the 20 gates at Dallas Love Field," the city of Dallas, which owns Love Field, said in a statement to The Dallas Morning News. "As of today (Thursday), there has been no decision regarding any carriers operating at these gates."
Even the CEO of American indicated on Thursday that he was not aware of any decision -- or perhaps he was displaying a good poker face.
"We cannot," AA's Doug Parker is quoted as saying by the Morning News when asked if he could confirm a decision on the Love Field gates. "We can confirm that as part of our agreement with the Department of Justice, we agreed to divest those gates. But we have no other knowledge."
Speculation about the gates began building in the Dallas media on Thursday when Virgin America announced a Friday morning press conference to discuss the carrier's "future in Dallas." In a precursor to that press conference, a Virgin America Airbus A320 touched down at Love Field on Thursday as the press event loomed.
Virgin America: We have a deal for AA's Dallas Love gates
It's the latest development in a three-airline scramble to win two gates that American Airlines must give up at the airport as part of an agreement that cleared the way for it to merge with US Airways.
Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines also want to take control of the gates. Adding an additional layer of complexity to the fight for the Dallas gates, Delta currently is subleasing the gates that American must give up.
As for Virgin America's schedule announcement, the carrier indicated it has reached a deal to secure the Love Field gates.
"We have a signed gate-transfer agreement with American that has been approved by the (DOJ) Department of Justice," Virgin America spokeswoman Abby Lundardini says in an e-mail to Today in the Sky. "American was instructed by the DOJ to divest the gates to Virgin America as a low-fare, new-entrant airline -- to ensure there is some competition in this market."
The deal would still need to be OK'd by the city of Dallas, which owns the airport.
On that point, Lunardini says: "At present, Love Field is monopoly-controlled by one carrier -- with 80% control of the gates. We are confident the city will approve the agreement, as this is a win for Dallas consumers in terms of fares and service."
Southwest already controls 16 of the 20 gates at Love Field.
TODAY IN THE SKY: Virgin America eyes focus city at Dallas Love Field (March 2014)
If Virgin America is cleared for the flights at Dallas Love Field, it would end its existing service at Dallas/Fort Worth. Virgin America plans to fly from Dallas Love Field to five major business destinations: New York LaGuardia, Washington Reagan National (DCA), Chicago O'Hare, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
However, it was just Thursday night that key parties said they believed a decision on the Love Field gates to still be weeks away.
"The city of Dallas is aware of the interest among several carriers to operate out of two of the 20 gates at Dallas Love Field," the city of Dallas, which owns Love Field, said in a statement to The Dallas Morning News. "As of today (Thursday), there has been no decision regarding any carriers operating at these gates."
Even the CEO of American indicated on Thursday that he was not aware of any decision -- or perhaps he was displaying a good poker face.
"We cannot," AA's Doug Parker is quoted as saying by the Morning News when asked if he could confirm a decision on the Love Field gates. "We can confirm that as part of our agreement with the Department of Justice, we agreed to divest those gates. But we have no other knowledge."
Speculation about the gates began building in the Dallas media on Thursday when Virgin America announced a Friday morning press conference to discuss the carrier's "future in Dallas." In a precursor to that press conference, a Virgin America Airbus A320 touched down at Love Field on Thursday as the press event loomed.
Virgin America: We have a deal for AA's Dallas Love gates
04-25-2014, 11:41 AM
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The Plot Thickens
Dallas denies winner chosen in fight for Love Field gates
Dallas says it will hold a briefing Monday “to outline the operation of gates at Dallas Love Field,” though Virgin America has all but claimed it would get the two available gates.
By TERRY MAXON
As Virgin America Inc. prepares to hold a news conference Friday to discuss its Dallas plans, the city issued a statement late Thursday denying that any carrier had been picked to get two Love Field gates up for grabs.
“The city of Dallas is aware of the interest among several carriers to operate out of two of the 20 gates at Dallas Love Field,” the city said in a statement. “As of today, there has been no decision regarding any carriers operating at these gates.”
Virgin America, Southwest Airlines Co. and Delta Air Lines Inc. are all vying for the two gates being surrendered by American Airlines Inc. American was forced to divest the gates as part of an antitrust settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Virgin America, headquartered near San Francisco, has said it would launch 18 daily flights to five cities if it got the two gates. It would end its six daily flights to two cities out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The Friday session indicates that it thinks it has those gates.
The Dallas statement said its Transportation and Trinity River Project Committee will hold a briefing Monday “to outline the operation of gates at Dallas Love Field.”
“As we approach the end of the Wright amendment restrictions, as well as complete our $500 million Love Field Modernization Program, the city of Dallas is committed to providing the very best passenger experience and looks forward to serving both the traveling public and our airline partners,” the city said in its statement.
If indeed Virgin America is the winner, it’s news to executives at other airlines.
Asked Thursday if American could confirm that its two gates are going to Virgin America, chief executive Doug Parker said simply, “We cannot. We can confirm that as part of our agreement with the Department of Justice, we agreed to divest those gates. But we have no other knowledge.”
Asked the same question, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said that, “We are waiting patiently to see what the next step is in the process. As far as I am aware, we are still in the running for consideration.”
Delta on Thursday issued a statement repeating its call that Dallas take over control of the gates and make them “common use” gates that all carriers could share.
Parker indicated that the decision isn’t controlled so much by American as when American gave up takeoff and landing “slots” at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and New York LaGuardia Airport.
“The distinction is the slots were owned by the company. These gates are owned by the city of Dallas. We’re involved somewhat. We’ve agreed that we won’t use them, and the city is working with the airlines as much as we are,” he said.
Stephen Johnson, American’s executive vice president for corporate affairs, said that, “We know that there are discussions going on. ... But Southwest and Delta are still making the case that they should be entitled to this. It’ll be, I think, still a couple of weeks before we know how this will all settle.”
So Johnson was asked: Was Virgin America’s announcement premature?
“I’ll say I was surprised when I found out they had called a press conference,” Johnson said.
Dallas denies winner chosen in fight for Love Field gates | Dallas Morning News
Dallas says it will hold a briefing Monday “to outline the operation of gates at Dallas Love Field,” though Virgin America has all but claimed it would get the two available gates.
By TERRY MAXON
As Virgin America Inc. prepares to hold a news conference Friday to discuss its Dallas plans, the city issued a statement late Thursday denying that any carrier had been picked to get two Love Field gates up for grabs.
“The city of Dallas is aware of the interest among several carriers to operate out of two of the 20 gates at Dallas Love Field,” the city said in a statement. “As of today, there has been no decision regarding any carriers operating at these gates.”
Virgin America, Southwest Airlines Co. and Delta Air Lines Inc. are all vying for the two gates being surrendered by American Airlines Inc. American was forced to divest the gates as part of an antitrust settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Virgin America, headquartered near San Francisco, has said it would launch 18 daily flights to five cities if it got the two gates. It would end its six daily flights to two cities out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The Friday session indicates that it thinks it has those gates.
The Dallas statement said its Transportation and Trinity River Project Committee will hold a briefing Monday “to outline the operation of gates at Dallas Love Field.”
“As we approach the end of the Wright amendment restrictions, as well as complete our $500 million Love Field Modernization Program, the city of Dallas is committed to providing the very best passenger experience and looks forward to serving both the traveling public and our airline partners,” the city said in its statement.
If indeed Virgin America is the winner, it’s news to executives at other airlines.
Asked Thursday if American could confirm that its two gates are going to Virgin America, chief executive Doug Parker said simply, “We cannot. We can confirm that as part of our agreement with the Department of Justice, we agreed to divest those gates. But we have no other knowledge.”
Asked the same question, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said that, “We are waiting patiently to see what the next step is in the process. As far as I am aware, we are still in the running for consideration.”
Delta on Thursday issued a statement repeating its call that Dallas take over control of the gates and make them “common use” gates that all carriers could share.
Parker indicated that the decision isn’t controlled so much by American as when American gave up takeoff and landing “slots” at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and New York LaGuardia Airport.
“The distinction is the slots were owned by the company. These gates are owned by the city of Dallas. We’re involved somewhat. We’ve agreed that we won’t use them, and the city is working with the airlines as much as we are,” he said.
Stephen Johnson, American’s executive vice president for corporate affairs, said that, “We know that there are discussions going on. ... But Southwest and Delta are still making the case that they should be entitled to this. It’ll be, I think, still a couple of weeks before we know how this will all settle.”
So Johnson was asked: Was Virgin America’s announcement premature?
“I’ll say I was surprised when I found out they had called a press conference,” Johnson said.
Dallas denies winner chosen in fight for Love Field gates | Dallas Morning News
04-25-2014, 12:04 PM
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Position: Doing what you do, for less.
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Originally Posted by shoelu
Dallas denies winner chosen in fight for Love Field gates
Dallas says it will hold a briefing Monday “to outline the operation of gates at Dallas Love Field,” though Virgin America has all but claimed it would get the two available gates.
By TERRY MAXON
As Virgin America Inc. prepares to hold a news conference Friday to discuss its Dallas plans, the city issued a statement late Thursday denying that any carrier had been picked to get two Love Field gates up for grabs.
“The city of Dallas is aware of the interest among several carriers to operate out of two of the 20 gates at Dallas Love Field,” the city said in a statement. “As of today, there has been no decision regarding any carriers operating at these gates.”
Virgin America, Southwest Airlines Co. and Delta Air Lines Inc. are all vying for the two gates being surrendered by American Airlines Inc. American was forced to divest the gates as part of an antitrust settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Virgin America, headquartered near San Francisco, has said it would launch 18 daily flights to five cities if it got the two gates. It would end its six daily flights to two cities out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The Friday session indicates that it thinks it has those gates.
The Dallas statement said its Transportation and Trinity River Project Committee will hold a briefing Monday “to outline the operation of gates at Dallas Love Field.”
“As we approach the end of the Wright amendment restrictions, as well as complete our $500 million Love Field Modernization Program, the city of Dallas is committed to providing the very best passenger experience and looks forward to serving both the traveling public and our airline partners,” the city said in its statement.
If indeed Virgin America is the winner, it’s news to executives at other airlines.
Asked Thursday if American could confirm that its two gates are going to Virgin America, chief executive Doug Parker said simply, “We cannot. We can confirm that as part of our agreement with the Department of Justice, we agreed to divest those gates. But we have no other knowledge.”
Asked the same question, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said that, “We are waiting patiently to see what the next step is in the process. As far as I am aware, we are still in the running for consideration.”
Delta on Thursday issued a statement repeating its call that Dallas take over control of the gates and make them “common use” gates that all carriers could share.
Parker indicated that the decision isn’t controlled so much by American as when American gave up takeoff and landing “slots” at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and New York LaGuardia Airport.
“The distinction is the slots were owned by the company. These gates are owned by the city of Dallas. We’re involved somewhat. We’ve agreed that we won’t use them, and the city is working with the airlines as much as we are,” he said.
Stephen Johnson, American’s executive vice president for corporate affairs, said that, “We know that there are discussions going on. ... But Southwest and Delta are still making the case that they should be entitled to this. It’ll be, I think, still a couple of weeks before we know how this will all settle.”
So Johnson was asked: Was Virgin America’s announcement premature?
“I’ll say I was surprised when I found out they had called a press conference,” Johnson said.
Dallas denies winner chosen in fight for Love Field gates | Dallas Morning News
Dallas says it will hold a briefing Monday “to outline the operation of gates at Dallas Love Field,” though Virgin America has all but claimed it would get the two available gates.
By TERRY MAXON
As Virgin America Inc. prepares to hold a news conference Friday to discuss its Dallas plans, the city issued a statement late Thursday denying that any carrier had been picked to get two Love Field gates up for grabs.
“The city of Dallas is aware of the interest among several carriers to operate out of two of the 20 gates at Dallas Love Field,” the city said in a statement. “As of today, there has been no decision regarding any carriers operating at these gates.”
Virgin America, Southwest Airlines Co. and Delta Air Lines Inc. are all vying for the two gates being surrendered by American Airlines Inc. American was forced to divest the gates as part of an antitrust settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Virgin America, headquartered near San Francisco, has said it would launch 18 daily flights to five cities if it got the two gates. It would end its six daily flights to two cities out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The Friday session indicates that it thinks it has those gates.
The Dallas statement said its Transportation and Trinity River Project Committee will hold a briefing Monday “to outline the operation of gates at Dallas Love Field.”
“As we approach the end of the Wright amendment restrictions, as well as complete our $500 million Love Field Modernization Program, the city of Dallas is committed to providing the very best passenger experience and looks forward to serving both the traveling public and our airline partners,” the city said in its statement.
If indeed Virgin America is the winner, it’s news to executives at other airlines.
Asked Thursday if American could confirm that its two gates are going to Virgin America, chief executive Doug Parker said simply, “We cannot. We can confirm that as part of our agreement with the Department of Justice, we agreed to divest those gates. But we have no other knowledge.”
Asked the same question, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said that, “We are waiting patiently to see what the next step is in the process. As far as I am aware, we are still in the running for consideration.”
Delta on Thursday issued a statement repeating its call that Dallas take over control of the gates and make them “common use” gates that all carriers could share.
Parker indicated that the decision isn’t controlled so much by American as when American gave up takeoff and landing “slots” at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and New York LaGuardia Airport.
“The distinction is the slots were owned by the company. These gates are owned by the city of Dallas. We’re involved somewhat. We’ve agreed that we won’t use them, and the city is working with the airlines as much as we are,” he said.
Stephen Johnson, American’s executive vice president for corporate affairs, said that, “We know that there are discussions going on. ... But Southwest and Delta are still making the case that they should be entitled to this. It’ll be, I think, still a couple of weeks before we know how this will all settle.”
So Johnson was asked: Was Virgin America’s announcement premature?
“I’ll say I was surprised when I found out they had called a press conference,” Johnson said.
Dallas denies winner chosen in fight for Love Field gates | Dallas Morning News
04-25-2014, 12:18 PM
#6
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Posts: 12,109
Originally Posted by shiznit
Great... The government picking the winners and losers instead of an open and transparent auction.
04-25-2014, 02:33 PM
#7
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Joined APC: Mar 2006
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Posts: 5,583
Originally Posted by shiznit
Great... The government picking the winners and losers instead of an open and transparent auction.
Congrats to the VX group, I hope those new DAL gates translate into more expansion for you.
04-25-2014, 02:55 PM
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Position: 767er Captain
Posts: 12,109
Originally Posted by Flyby1206
Yea, let's get some real competition going and allow Emirates to fly cabotage routes in the US. We wouldn't want the government to pick winners and losers.
04-25-2014, 08:15 PM
#10
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Joined APC: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,898
Great... The government picking the winners and losers instead of an open and transparent auction
It's commercial air travel where three carriers now control an overwhelming majority of air travel. These three could easily crush any and all LCC pressure/money by putting up even more lobbying pressure/money. The government approved each and every single legacy major and made these carriers the stable three carriers they are today. It's just simply checks and balances to ensure the travelling public gets good competition from everyone, not just three legacy carriers.
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