In an overwhelming vote of 16-1, Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council today approved Southwe

The Houston City Council voted 16-1 Wednesday in favor of Southwest Airlines' proposal to add international gates at Houston Hobby Airport. The expansion allows toronto hotel deals the Dallas-based carrier to begin international flights out of the airport in 2015, according to Houston media.
"This is a monumental moment for Southwest toronto hotel deals Airlines and the City of Houston," Southwest Airlines chairman and CEO Gary Kelly said on the carrier s blog . "There is still work to do, but today we are one step closer to increased competition and lower fares for Houston s international travelers."
Though the vote was lopsided, it did not occur without some heartburn. Some on Council toronto hotel deals said they were torn about casting a vote over United's objections. Councilman Mike Laster said he has several concerns, including the possibility of the city having to make $50 million in parking improvements at Hobby to accommodate increased air travel.
Only one council member, Jerry Davis, voted against the idea.  His district toronto hotel deals includes Bush Intercontinental Airport and many of his constituents work for United, which claims it will now have to eliminate about 1,300 jobs.
And KHOU provided this quote that sheds a little light on how some view United Airlines following Continental Airlines' longstanding relationship toronto hotel deals with Houston. United and Continental merged in 2010, and the Continental brand disappeared earlier this year:
"We believe that splitting Houston s international air service is the wrong decision for the city s future, but we respect the fact that City Council did not agree. We will continue to be a strong partner for Houston with the help of our almost 17,000 employees, who work hard every day for our customers and our community."
In an overwhelming vote of 16-1, Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council today approved Southwest Airlines plans for international service at Hobby Airport. The expansion will mean flights to Latin America from Hobby by 2015, if the federal government approves a new customs facility necessary to screen toronto hotel deals international passengers.
"This is a big win for Houston and the traveling toronto hotel deals public," said Mayor Parker. toronto hotel deals "Competition will lead to jobs, lower fares and a positive economic impact for the city. My goal is a strong toronto hotel deals international presence at Hobby and a continued strong international presence at Bush airport. We will also continue our commitment to ensuring there is adequate customs toronto hotel deals and immigration staffing at Bush and at Hobby when international service begins there in 2015."
Construction is planned for the spring of 2013.  In the interim, toronto hotel deals the City will work closely with SWA and the Federal toronto hotel deals Aviation Administration to obtain the necessary federal approvals as well as a commitment for an adequate number of customs and border patrol agents toronto hotel deals at both of our airports.
Last week, Mayor Parker unveiled the proposed agreement under which Southwest toronto hotel deals Airlines (SWA) will cover all costs related to the $100 million expansion. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) requires SWA to design and build the five new gates and customs facility to the City s specifications.  When finished, the City will own the improvements debt free.
In return for its investment, toronto hotel deals SWA will have preferential scheduling rights and pay no rent for its use of four of the five new international gates, and will also pay no rent for its use of the customs facility.  The fifth additional gate and the customs facility will be available for use by all other airlines at Hobby, but unlike SWA, the other airlines will pay rent.
An independent study commissioned by the Houston Airport toronto hotel deals System indicates that increased competition will lower fares that entice additional passengers to travel through Hobby.  Many of these additional travelers will be visitors to Houston and this will drive job growth in Houston s tourism, hotel, retail and restaurant sectors.  The overall impact is job creation and an annual net positive economic impact for the greater Houston metropolitan area.
The addition of international service at Hobby will mean approximately 20 more departures daily, which is still far below the historical record-setting activity levels of 1997.  SWA intends to utilize new 737 aircraft toronto hotel deals that are more efficient and quieter than older models, thus eliminating impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
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