Houston, we have a problem: Weigh in on Houston's air war (Sugar Land: living in, prices)

[EasilyAmused]

Well, if we are the 4th largest city then we are behind by only having one.

Houston is bursting with people that travel south of the border, I think Hobby and it's location is perfect for that service.

I really don't understand the big deal.

[Trae713]

Plus, the central location of Houston/Hobby will make it easy for Southwest to connect more flights into Hobby, bringing a lot more business.

[cubssoxfan]

Is it better for United to have SWA fly from Hobby which is limited to the types of planes that can land (like Midway in Chicago)or fly the same international routs from another airport that allows SW to buy a few larger planes and try some longer routes? Obviously no competition is better, but if that's not possible wouldn't limiting the competition be the next best thing?

[MikeyAusmus]

This is a very good opportunity for the city of Houston! There are way too many PROS and honestly I cannot think of any CONS to this situation.

Southwest wants to front $100M to build a new international concourse onto Hobby Airport. The city will not have to help out like it does with United at Bush. Hobby will be able to handle only short range international flights to Mexico, Central America and some Caribbean destinations. The reason they can only handle short range flights is due to the short runways they have that cannot be extended. Keep in mind, the reason Houston Intercontinental Airport was built in the first place is because large widebody jets could not land and take off from Hobby (Houston International at the time).

United is EXTREMELY concerned because they fear losing business to these short range international destinations. United has already lost customer base after the merger that seems to have more turbulence than smooth skies. Southwest poses a threat to United to take more customers away from United particularly in the Houston market.

Bush Intercontinental will NOT fail and I will tell you why. The airport is massive and dominant in Houston. They have the long runways and SPACE needed to support a healthy full blown international airport such as widebody capable terminals, ability to service the A380 and the gate capacity to handle a carrier hub. Let's say hypothetically that United failed in Houston (wishful thinking), another airline would jump at the opportunity to make IAH their hub especially given our close proximity to Central and South America, not to mention that it is the main airport for the 4th largest city in the USA (soon to be 3rd after the 2020 census, eat your hearts out Chicago!).

Eventhough we may not like United, the city of Houston will do whatever it takes to make sure they are successful... as far as facilities are concerned... but when it comes to competition, it is every airline for themselves!

[AK123]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

It might be better to close Hobby and move the operations to the new Dr. Donald Hull--Fort Bend County International Airport in Sugar Land.

What is that? You mean Sugar Land Regional?

[Zhang Fei]

Houston's air fares are higher than they could or ought to be because demand exceeds capacity. A second international terminal would create more competition and ease the upward pressure on fares. More competition would obviously pressure airline profits, but protecting incumbent airlines from competition is not the role of Houston's elected officials.

[Houston_2010]

Let SW have it! I think this will (hopefully) only mean better competition and perhaps better airfares for consumers.

[jasonamd]

Hobby is already technically an "International Airport" as they have customs facilities. Same with the Galveston airport...but it is for private planes. Being an internatinal airport doesn't have to mean there are international commercial flights out of it. So the argument has nothing to do with having 2 international airports it is that United wants all the international commerical flights out of IAH.

United is only concerned for itself as they more or less have a monopoly on the Mexico and Latin America flights out of Houston. IAH will not fail just because Southwest is allowed to have some flights south of the border.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by BLAXTOR121

Logistically this will spur an intense rivalry with Atlanta and Dallas only having 1 international airport versus Houston's 2. Houston is investing in a less congested with more options type system and Atlanta and Dallas have all their eggs in 1 basket.

Houston is getting to the cusp of establishing itself as a logistical and cultural destination like Miami. Kudos

To be fair, Dallas is not like Atlanta here. At least Dallas has another airport outside DFW. Atlanta has just ATL and I dont think there are any plans to build a second airport.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by Spade

To be fair, Dallas is not like Atlanta here. At least Dallas has another airport outside DFW. Atlanta has just ATL and I dont think there are any plans to build a second airport.

Peachtree/dekalb probably could accommodate commercial flights but I doubt they will ever bother to pursue it.