Well here you go:
http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012 ... obby.html/Mind you, this is only one of many, many articles about this today, but council passed this by a 16-1 vote. Go figure that the one vote against was from the councilman with IAH in his district. Also, this still will need to get FAA approval, but that shouldn't be a problem. And, the supposedly 1300 jobs lost at IAH should be made back up at Hobby now, and the United jobs at IAH weren't safe anyway, as they try to moove more and more of their operations to the home office in Chicago.
And for those who do not want to fly SW, well, you should at least thank them when your United flight is about 2-3 hundred less in a couple of years. United has stated that they will remain competitive in the Houston market. I like the "will remain" part, as what they really mean is, they will have to "become" competitive now, as they will finally have competition.
I am willing to bet that by 2015 one will be able to fly to Costa Rica on a SW no frills flight for around $450-$550 dependig on season. You will probably have to pay a $100 premium make the same flight on United. United will probably still charge about the same as now for a first or business class flight, as there will be no competition from SW for luxury seats.
I am happy, as I would be willing to fly in the belly of a cargo plane if it would get me to SJO for under $600 all in.
Thank you Southwest and Houston City Council