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President/CEO Gary Molberg Membership Andrea McClintock, VP Lindsey Arbeiter Christy Bigler Lauren Shelton Communications Penni Bentley, Sr. Director Business Development & Governmental Affairs Jason Harrison, VP Mary Garcia Quality of Life & Arts Becky Zenor, VP Mary Ramirez Convention & Visitor Council Dan Quandt, VP Mindy Bradley Eric Miller Tina Brohlin Emilea White Kashion Smith Mary Ramirez Stephanie Andrews Hope Stokes Visitor Information Center & Gift Shop Karolyn Wolfram Foss Helen Martinez Denise Rayford Braley Hand Maci Davis PO Box 9480 Amarillo, TX 79105 806.373.7800 806.373.3909 fax Amarillo-Chamber.org
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P O L K - A M A R I L L O ,
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T E X A S
Amarillo’s LUV Connection By: Ron Ricks—Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President
Recently, Mayor Harpole, Gary Molberg from the Amarillo Chamber, and other civic leaders visited with Southwest Airlines’ executives, including CEO Gary Kelly. The long-standing excellent relationship between Amarillo and Southwest was reconfirmed. Southwest explained how sky-rocketing fuel prices have hurt. Our fuel bill is up $5,000,000,000 (that is not a typo: $5 billion). At our average fare, Southwest has to collect the revenue from 33.3 million passengers just to pay the increase in our fuel bill. Meanwhile, the number of passengers flying within Texas on short routes (like Amarillo—Dallas) has fallen by 50% largely due to higher fares caused by those escalating fuel bills. Southwest must change to survive in markets like Amarillo. Part of that change was seeking a repeal of the Wright Amendment, a federal law which restricted Southwest’s flights. That law expires on October 13, 2014, at which time Southwest will restructure its service from Dallas.
Ron Ricks Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President
The impact on Amarillo is both good and bad. Amarillo will lose its nonstop service to Denver. However, Amarillo keeps the number of flights it has presently to Dallas, with four daily roundtrips. For the first time, Southwest will begin flying nonstop from Dallas to new destinations such as New York, Washington, D.C. Orlando, Chicago, Nashville, Denver, Atlanta and many more. Amarillo passengers can connect to those destinations over Dallas Love Field, in most cases with just one stop/plane change. Increased competition will mean lower fares.
In this Issue:
These changes are a must for Southwest to sustain its service. Moreover, the increased competition and improved connectivity to Southwest’s large nationwide network offers the best chance to grow the market. Without change, exorbitant fuel prices and diminished passenger traffic leads inevitably to fewer flights, placing the entire Amarillo operation in jeopardy.
New Members
Amarillo’s leaders made the importance of air service clear. Southwest and Amarillo have been through “thick and thin” together. You have our pledge that we will continue to work with your civic leadership to maintain—and hopefully grow-- this needed transportation link.
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Business Awards Nominations
3
BusinessConnection Recap
3
Renewing Members
5
Ribbon Cuttings
6-7
Chamber Challenge
7
PRIME Winners
8
CVC News
9-10
Arts
10
Editor’s Corner
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