The end of the Wright amendment restrictions at Dallas Love Field airport has seen passenger traffic fly high with a 37% increase in November.
November was the first full month following the expiry of the 34-year long moratorium limiting flights to other US cities.
The Wright amendment was initially imposed to protect the future of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and allowed for only short flights from Love Field within Texas and neighboring states.
Locally based Southwest Airlines has been the biggest beneficiary, increasing capacity by about 30% from 118 daily departures to 153.
Southwest today starts flying form Love Field to Oakland and San Francisco, completing the first phase of its post-Wright amendment expansion.
"We’re finally delivering on everything we’ve announced, and have plans for more destinations in 2015," said Southwest spokesman Brad Hawkins.
Virgin America, which moved operations from D/FW after gaining coveted Love Field slots, now offers 13 daily flights and saw a rise of 2.8% in passenger traffic in November.
Although Love Field based airlines can apply to operate routes anywhere in the US, there is still a ban in place on flying non-stop direct flights overseas.
