Repeal or Retain? The Wright Amendment Debate

The Wright Amendment to the International Air Transportation Competition Act was passed in 1980. It restricts travel in and out of Love Field in Dallas for commercial flights with more than 56 seats, and originally made it illegal to fly from Love Field to points beyond the four states surrounding Texas. Since the amendment's original passage, four states have been added to the Wright Amendment service area. This article explains why and how the Wright Amendment was passed, and presents some arguments on whether or not the amendment should be repealed by Congress. Arguments on both sides are mainly economic and consider the profit/loss impact of the stakeholders. Congress currently is considering repeal of the Wright Amendment.