Sky High
Airport war turns into a blowout? Aviation experts latest to endorse Southwest'sinternational Hobby plan
As if the Southwest Airlines proposal for an international terminal at William P. Hobby airport didn't have enough momentum already, Mayor Annise Parker released yet another report in support of the expansion on Thursday.
In reviewing economic impact reports from the Houston Airport System and United Airlines, Texas Southern University transportation and aviation experts Carol Abel Lewis and Charles R. Glass concluded that international departures from Hobby will do what Southwest promises: Create jobs, drive down regional airfare costs and stimulate local demand for international flights.
This release follows several high-stakes endorsements and Southwest's public promise to foot the expansion bill. It comes less than a week before the Houston City Council is scheduled to vote on the issue with Parker saying she knows she has the votes for it to pass.
Meanwhile, United continues to argue that Southwest's points are overstated and that, while lower air fares might benefit consumers in the short term, the divided international market will diminish Houston's competitive edge against other cities in the future.