By AP/KWMU
Washington, DC – President Bush signed a transportation bill on Wednesday that included an amendment that allows direct flights between Dallas's Love Field and airports in Missouri. U.S. Sen. Kit Bond sponsored the amendment.
The move will likely mean cheaper fares between Dallas and St. Louis because the low-cost carrier Southwest is housed at Love Field. A spokeswoman for Southwest says flights are expected to start by the end of the year.
"Missouri has been punished far too long by the resulting high-fare monopoly," said Herb Kelleher, Southwest's executive chairman and co-founder, in a statement. "We are delighted by Senator Bond's efforts to wipe out the last vestige of airline regulation for the people of Missouri."
The measure signed Wednesday exempts Missouri from restrictions of the so-called Wright Amendment, which bars long-haul flights from Love Field. That federal rule was enacted to bolster Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in its early years.
In response to the change, American Airlines announced Wednedsay it will also use Love Field to compete with Southwest on the Missouri routes.