Ensign-backed bill may affect McCarran

Benjamin Grove

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 | 11:04 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., is co-sponsoring legislation that could lead to new flights between Dallas and Las Vegas.

The bill is aimed at repealing 26-year-old legislation, commonly called the Wright Amendment, which was aimed at spurring growth at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport and shielding it from some competition from the older Dallas Love Field.

The Wright Amendment restricted flights with 56 or more seats to travel between Love Field and just four states: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. A 1997 law expanded Love Field's travel zone to Alabama, Kansas and Mississippi.

Love Field is primarily served by Southwest Airlines, which makes its operational base at the airport and offers 128 direct flights to the seven states, plus intrastate destinations.

Ensign's legislation, unveiled today with co-sponsors Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and John McCain, R-Ariz., would allow Southwest to expand direct flights to other states, including Nevada.

Ensign said he expects Southwest soon would open routes direct to Nevada.

"It's too good a route (not to consider)," Ensign said. "Texans love Reno and Las Vegas."

A Southwest spokesman was not immediately available today.

Under the Wright amendment, Southwest also is restricted from even promoting its connections between cities in the seven states and other national destinations, such as Las Vegas, Ensign said. He said that forces passengers to buy two tickets, pass through security a second time and get on a second plane if they are continuing on to another destination. Ensign's legislation would scrap that provision, calling it "ridiculous."

The legislation faces opposition and a tough road in the House, including objections by Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport officials and American Airlines officials oppose the Wright repeal. American is based at Dallas/Fort Worth.

Ensign said there were competing studies about what economic impact the legislation would have on Dallas/Fort Worth and American.

Ensign also noted that the legislation would not affect Love Field's master plan, designed to control airport growth and noise. Repealing the Wright amendment would not strip any power from local officials to determine airport growth, Ensign said.