Southwest Airlines

Re “Clipped wings,” editorial, Aug. 29

Southwest Airlines has always had the freedom to fly wherever it wants -- Southern California included -- and to charge whatever fares it wants from Dallas. Southwest has chosen to fly from Dallas’ Love Field, which was designated a short-haul airport when Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport opened in the mid-1970s.

The Wright Amendment was the result of local citizenry decision-making to keep Love Field open with certain flight restrictions even though plans called for the airport to close when DFW opened.

Plenty of gates await Southwest, as do substantial financial incentives from the local airport board, should it choose to move its operation in order to compete on a level playing field at DFW. Although American Airlines and others choose to provide service between north Texas and Southern California, Southwest chooses not to do so.

DAN GARTON

Executive Vice President, Marketing

American Airlines