American Shifting Aircraft so Love Field is RJ-only

Jan. 12 -- Passengers flying on American Airlines from Dallas Love Field will have to adjust to smaller airplanes this spring.

Fort Worth-based AMR Corp. said Thursday that beginning April 10, it will replace the remaining large American Airlines MD-80 aircraft flying from Love with smaller regional jets operated by regional affiliate American Eagle.

"At that point it's going to be an all-Eagle base," spokesman Roger Frizzell said. "But we're committed to serving our passengers who prefer to fly from Love Field and giving them that option."

He said the airline is "absolutely committed" to maintaining its presence at the Dallas airport.

American won't be reducing the number of flights, which currently number 16 to four cities -- San Antonio, Austin, St. Louis and Kansas City. But the smaller airplanes will mean an overall reduction in the carrier's capacity at Love.

Eagle had originally operated flights to San Antonio and Austin, while American flew the larger jets to Missouri. In November, American replaced some of the Missouri flights with smaller Eagle jets.

American resumed Love Field service after a hiatus in March 2006 when a revision to the Wright Amendment allowed nonstop flights to Missouri.

That opened the door for American to compete head-to-head with Southwest Airlines out of its Dallas hub.

Frizzell said that the change to the Love service won't cost the airline any jobs.

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