Wright decision

President Bush today signed a law that gives North Texans more choice when considering which of the region's two major airports to use. The president's signature will lead to the end of the Wright Amendment, which restricts flights from Love Field to destinations in a handful of states. The law, passed in 1979, was a compromise struck by former House Speaker Jim Wright of Fort Worth intended to help Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport grow and allow Dallas Love Field to remain open. D/FW was in its formative stages and probably needed a boost. But for years now, the region has shown an ability to support two airports.

Only recently, when Dallas-based Southwest Airlines began actively working for the amendment's repeal, did anything substantial happen. In reaching this deal, Dallas and Fort Worth actually cooperated -- with each other and D/FW, American Airlines and SWA. The result of this long-sought cooperation was the ability of passengers to fly from Dallas anywhere Southwest goes if they first connect in a state accessible under the Wright Amendment. The North Texas congressional delegation also deserves praise for embracing the proposal.

The problem for SWA and travelers looking for cheaper flights into and out of the Metroplex is the Wright Amendment will not disappear for eight years. Until then, connections will be required if passengers want to get from Dallas to spots not in the nine states where nonstop flights are allowed.

But such is life in a political world. Southwest fought hard to first chip away at the fallacy that unrestricted flights from Love Field would ruin the Tarrant County (Fort Worth and vicinity) economy. Then, the airline and Dallas-area officials miraculously agreed with their western neighbors to work for a mutually beneficial solution to a problem.

All sides deserve credit for not allowing negotiations to crumble, especially considering the years of tough talk by the law's proponents, who vowed it was necessary to protect Tarrant County. While the new law is not without its drawbacks, Southwest and the traveling public have to be declared winners in this.

The airline received what it wanted: unrestricted access from its flagship airport. Sure, it will take almost a decade to materialize, but when the time has elapsed, everyone, including the western half of the Metroplex, will be better off. They'll have the low fares to prove it.