Todd Tiahrt: “I want to say that what we just heard about the Wright amendment ought to be discussed a little bit, because it has been…”

“I want to say that what we just heard about the Wright amendment ought to be discussed a little bit, because it has been in place 18 years. The Wright amendment was put in place to protect Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which is now the second busiest airport in the world. Mr. Speaker, they are working on their eighth runway. Dallas/Forth Worth Airport houses the largest airline in the United States, American Airlines and it has a virtual monopoly on travel in and out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. What this change to the Wright amendment does is allow traffic in and out of Love Field, which adds a little competition to American Airlines. Well, that lack of competition has had an effect on the surrounding area. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, travelers going in and out of Dallas have had to spend, in 1992, an additional $183 million in higher fares. Much of that is burdened by Kansas travelers who are trying to get in and out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, just because of lack of competition. Well, this provision allows that competition to happen. This is America. This is free enterprise. This is the strength of our country. It is not bullying by one Senator. It is a whole nation that believes we ought to have competition, who thinks this Wright amendment is a virtual monopoly that has created a very high profit for one airline and allow growth to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. So it is time for change.”