Delta, Southwest Threaten Lawsuits In Dallas Gate Spat
Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines have scheduled overlapping flights from identical gates at Love Field in Dallas, creating potential havoc for customers as a gate-sharing agreement between the carriers is set to expire and a court battle looms over slots at the airport.
Southwest, which has 18 of 20 gates at the airport, agreed that Delta could use certain gates until July 6. Southwest plans to ramp up flights in August from Love Field, its headquarters, contingent on regaining all takeoff and arrival slots from Delta.
However, Delta is selling tickets to Love Field until May 2016, a sticking point in a conflict that has drawn in city and federal officials.
On Friday, Delta threatened legal action against Dallas if the city did not accommodate its flights, saying inaction amounted to a failure of federal obligations and an assault on consumer choice that would result in “disrupting thousands of passengers,” according to a Delta spokesman.
The airline cited a letter from the US Department of Transportation on Monday that asked Dallas to foster competition by accommodating smaller players at the airport when possible.
Dallas had responded by suing the federal agency for asking the city to violate a lease agreement with Southwest that is protected by federal statute. It also named the FAA, Delta, Southwest and other airlines at Love Field as defendants.
Southwest has also threatened to sue Dallas if Delta stays past August 9, the city’s lawsuit said. Southwest said Thursday, DOT’s “guidance not only violates Southwest’s legal and contractual rights but would also reduce competition.”
Delta has 45 daily flights from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) but wants a foothold at Love Field, which some people prefer for its renovated terminal and proximity to Dallas. It operates five flights there and has petitioned to add eight more.
Customers who have booked Delta flights past July 6 may see changes to their plans and be routed through DFW if the airline loses slots, creating short-term confusion, said Charlie Leocha, chairman of consumer advocacy group Travelers United.
“For Delta to schedule service when they don’t even have a legitimate lease is just deceptive,” he said.
(Reuters)