II 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1425 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 19, 2005 Mr. Inhofe (for himself and Mr. Harkin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To give effect to the original agreement entered into by the cities of Dallas, Texas, and Fort Worth, Texas, to build a single airport to provide for the commercial air transportation needs of the region, and for other purposes.

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Short title

This Act may be cited as the True Competition Act.

2.

Congressional findings

Congress finds that: (1)The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport was constructed in 1974 to serve as the exclusive airport providing all commercial air service needs of the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex. (2)At the explicit direction of the United States Civil Aeronautics Board, before obtaining financing or beginning construction, the Cities of Dallas and Fort Worth agreed to consolidate all commercial air service from all local airports at the new Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport facility. (3)The consolidation of all commercial air service at one major airport is consistent with practices in numerous metropolitan areas throughout the country, and is considered to be sound transportation policy and a major factor in generating economic growth for entire regions. (4)Despite the original agreement between Dallas and Fort Worth, which was absolutely essential to proceed with construction of the new airport, judicial and legislative challenges by an airline that refused to move to the new facility undercut the local consensus by permitting limited operations from the close-in Dallas Love Field to continue for the past 25 years. (5)Relying on the continued limited scope of Love Field, the communities recently embarked on a major $2,800,000,000 expansion of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport which has reached completion. (6)The current dire economics of the airline and airport businesses have put a severe strain on the finances and viability of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and the carriers serving it, resulting in substantial unused capacity and financial pressure that is exacerbated by the continued use of Dallas Love Field. (7)In contrast, there are virtually no capacity or facilities available at Love Field except for those controlled by one carrier that operates over 97 percent of all the seats in and out of the airport. (8)In addition to economic, competitive, and transportation planning problems, air traffic control experts have expressed concern about air space congestion generated by the close proximity of Love Field to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. (9)Although not intended to be used for commercial air service, Love Field remains an important resource for general aviation and business aircraft, which provide an important economic benefit to the Dallas/Fort Worth region. (10)In order to reduce air congestion problems, create a more efficient and viable air transportation system, and give full effect to the original agreement between the Cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, scheduled commercial air service at Love Field should be ended and the facilities made more broadly available to general aviation and business aircraft.

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Termination of scheduled passenger air service at love field

Effective on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, Love Field, located in Dallas, Texas, shall be ineligible to hold an airport operating certificate pursuant to part 139 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.