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southwest should just take over the airline industry

United can take a flying leap! They know they'll not be able to compete with Sothwest, especially in terms of customer satisfaction, so they're trying to throw whatever road blocks they can in Southwest's way. The letter in support from the City of Houston is simply that: an expression of their belief in Southwest as a positive force for the city, and a definite benefit to its citizens. Forcing Southwst to split operations between HOU and IAH is foolish and impractical, and all the noise from United is just sour grapes.

I'm surprised that UAL has any say in it, let alone the mayor of Houston. From my understanding (and this coming from a retired air traffic controller), ANY US airport can be an international airport. All that is required is that Customs be on site and available at the time the arriving aircraft lands.

Cases in point: KOMA is not labeled an international airport, but Customs is on site there, and is a customs rights landing airport. Yet the closest 'international' airport is KDSM, 140 miles east, or KMCI, 180 miles south.

KSBD is labeled an international airport, but (until recently) was untowered, with nothing but a fire station there. Customs still isn't there. But as Customs is located on site at KONT, as long as they drive over to KSBD and meet the aircraft landing there, they pass for a customs port of entry.

FIS as well as customs only needs to be there when it arrives, so SWA, pending any other certificates and authorizations, could fly internationally out of KHOU without needing UAL's or the city's approval.

International service from and to Hobby will be more convenience and suitable for citizens living south of downtown Houston. Houston is close to become the fouth largest populated city in the USA, still there are smaller cities with more than one International airport.
Jorge Berlingeri, FriendsWood, Tx. 77546

It has been on the TV here. UA is very upset and are trying to block Southwest's attempt to have Hobby airport made international. I agree with lmberry423 Mexico, central America and the Caribbean. Maybe that is one of the reasons SW has ordered 737-8H4 aircraft??

I WISH SWA THE VERRY BEST IN THIS VENTURE. WISH THAY WOULD SERVE US AT CVG,,,,,

this will be great for the economy. i hope annise approves it.

I am glad that Mayor Parker has sided with SWA and not listened to United's complaints about having international service at both airports in Houston. United came into Houston snapped our airline the Houston helped create. Then they closed the Continental headquarters in Houston shipping thousands of jobs out of Houston to Chicago. The city of Houston owes United nothing. Good luck to SWA and serving Latin America and the Caribbean from Houston Hobby. I can't wait for the new service to start someday soon.

southwest is the best!

It's a logical progression for Southwest to serve the Caribe, and Mexico. The new terminal was built to handle International traffic in anticipation of growth. If the city interferes, it would be more a problem of government choosing winners and loosers.

I would MUCH rather take my 2 trips a year to mexico on southwest instead of the new and improved Continental/ United.

Where do they want to fly internationally?

GOOD AFTERNOON..

WELL AFTER THING ABOUT THIS I HAVE TO SAY IT SOUNDS GOOD
IN THE LONG HAUL. BUT SILL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW BAD IS THIS GOING
TO HIT US IN OUR WALLETS??

well this just might raise the faires here in the us. to support this move..