(Updated September 28, 2006)
H.R. 6228
Wright Amendment Reform Act of 2006
Floor Situation
The House considered H.R. 6228, under suspension of the rules, on
Friday, September 29, 2006. It is debatable for 40 minutes,
can not be amended, and requires a two-thirds
majority vote for passage.
Summary
H.R. 6228 implements an
agreement reached by the City of Dallas, the City of Fort Worth, Southwest
Airlines, American Airlines, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
on July 11, 2006, regarding air service at Dallas Love Field.
The bill includes the following provisions:
Repeal Wright Amendment -- Lifts all domestic flight restrictions on scheduled
commercial service at Love Field, beginning eight years after the date of
enactment of this Act.
Through-Ticketing -- Maintains, for eight years, existing domestic flight
restrictions at Love Field (i.e., direct flights out of Love Field are limited
to the following states: Texas, Missouri, Alabama, Mississippi, Kansas,
Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma), but allows for immediate
through-ticketing from Love Field to cities outside the Wright Amendment’s
geographic area.
Gate Reduction -- Reduces the number of gates at Love Field from 32 to 20.
Clarifies that while the City of Dallas holds legal authority under this Act and
existing Texas law to determine the allocation of leased gates and manage Love
Field, the City must acknowledge the rights of existing Love Field leaseholders
in making gate allocation decisions after the date of enactment.
No International Flights -- Limits all future commercial passenger service out
of Love Field to domestic operations.
Charter Flights Limited -- Continues to limit charter flights at Love Field to
no more than 10 per month per air carrier for flights beyond the Wright
Amendment's geographic area.
General Aviation Protection -- Clarifies that nothing in the Act shall affect
general aviation service at Love Field.
No Exemption from Safety, Security, Labor, Environmental and Other Requirements
-- Clarifies that nothing in the Act shall be construed to limit the obligations
of the parties to the agreement under the programs of the Department of
Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) relating to
aviation safety, labor, environmental, national historic preservation, civil
rights, small business concerns (including disadvantage business enterprise),
veteran's preference, disability access, and revenue diversion. In addition,
nothing in the Act shall limit obligations under the aviation security programs
of the Department of Homeland Security.
Competition/Access -- Clarifies that nothing in the Act shall be construed to
limit the authority of the FAA or any other Federal agency to enforce
requirements of law and grant assurances that require Love Field to make its
facilities available on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis to air carriers
seeking to use such facilities. Directs the City of Dallas to accommodate new
entrant air carriers by honoring the scarce resource provision of existing Love
Field leases.
Safety -- The provisions of the bill shall not take effect until the FAA
notifies Congress that aviation operations in the airspace serving Love Field
and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Texas, occurring as a result of this Act can be
accommodated in full compliance with FAA safety standards and, based on current
expectations, without adverse effect on use of airspace in such area.
Legislative History
H.R. 6228 was introduced by Rep. Young (AK).
For additional information or questions, please contact the Transportation and Commerce Committee at 5-9446.