HOUSTON | Houston Airport System Developments

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https://communityimpact.com/houston/...ts-terminal-a/

Houston OKs $1.2M for vestibule upgrades at Bush Airport's Terminal A

By Shawn Arrajj | 4:26 PM Jan 10, 2024 CST
Updated 4:26 PM Jan 10, 2024 CST

Members of the Houston City Council approved an agenda item at a Jan. 10 meeting providing $1.2 million for upgrades at the departure and arrival vestibules at Terminal A of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Two-minute impact

The contract was awarded to FMG Construction Group and uses funding from the city's Airports Renewal and Replacement Fund. In agenda language submitted to council, city staff said the vestibules at Terminal A were in need of replacement. The contract also calls for efficiency upgrades. In all, work will target all three arrival vestibules and one departure vestibule on Level 2, including:

Replacement of automatic sliding doors, air curtains and security devices
Expansion of departures vestibule and refreshing finishes
Work will be carried out through a phased approach with an accessible path to operational curbsides while work is underway, according to city information.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...erminal-b.html

TURBULENCE IN FUNDING

United Airlines' expansion project has experienced a long layover — but that may soon change.

By Sofia Gonzalez – Reporter, Houston Business Journal
Jan 12, 2024

United Airlines' (Nasdaq: UAL) Terminal B expansion project layover may soon come to an end now that it's in the hands of Houston's new administration.

Funding for the airline's $2.6 billion project at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has been delayed over and over thanks to a nearly two-month withhold by former City Controller Chris Brown.

Originally, Brown withheld the item for $150 million in funding on Nov. 8 — preventing the city’s final stamp of approval on the project. With the funding for the Terminal B expansion project moving forward to the new administration, the item will now be overseen by City Controller Chris Hollins, who was officially sworn in during a Jan. 2 ceremony.

The Terminal B redevelopment project will modernize and triple the capacity of the current facility, which was built in 1969. Once the redevelopment is complete, Terminal B will span 765,000 square feet across three levels and will have 22 mainline, narrow-body gates.

Brown previously said his office wanted to do their due diligence to ensure taxpayer dollars are being protected.

“In recent weeks, my staff has visited with the Houston Airport System (HAS) to address the concerns we’ve outlined from day one,” Brown said in an updated statement to Houston Business Journal. “As of [Dec. 20] my office [had] yet to receive an updated feasibility study regarding the financing of the proposal.”

United said it will be responsible for $1.9 billion of the costs, while the city expects to fund $624 million. The request for appropriation of the funds will be done in several segments, and will come from the HAS enterprise fund.

According to city documents, the enterprise fund is “established to account for city operations that are financed and operated in a manner similar to private business enterprises where the cost of providing goods or services to the general public is financed primarily through user charges.”

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...Pos=1#cxrecs_s

Frontier Airlines to add new nonstop routes from Houston's IAH, other airports

By Sofia Gonzalez – Reporter, Houston Business Journal
Jan 23, 2024

Denver-based Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: ULCC) is expanding its service for Houstonians traveling out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

The ultra-low-cost carrier said Jan. 23 it will begin services to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) from IAH.

The IAH service to MDW will begin April 11 with a frequency of four times a week. Meanwhile, twice-daily flights to DFW will begin on April 21. The flight to CLT is set to begin on April 21 as well, but with a frequency of three times a week.

The new Houston flights are just some of the dozens of routes Frontier Airlines is adding across 38 airports.

“This is a massive expansion of our operation from coast to coast and internationally as part of our focus on growing in underserved and overpriced routes,” Josh Flyr, vice president, network and operations design of Frontier Airlines, said in a statement.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...Pos=2#cxrecs_s

Houston airports set record travel numbers in 2023, officially recover from pandemic

By Sofia Gonzalez – Reporter, Houston Business Journal
Jan 24, 2024

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) have full recovery from the pandemic thanks to a record-breaking 2023, new data from the Houston Airport System shows.

The two airports combined welcomed 60.1 million passengers last year, beating the previous record of 59.7 million passengers set in 2019 prior to Covid-related travel disruptions. The 2023 total also is 6 million more passengers than IAH and Hobby welcomed in 2022.

IAH saw a total of 46.1 million total passengers, up from 45.3 million in 2019, while Hobby saw 14 million total passengers, down slightly from 14.46 million in 2019. As for domestic passengers, the two airports saw a combined 47.6 million travelers. Meanwhile, the airports saw a combined 12.5 million international passengers.

Last year also marked significant international growth for Houston airports. According to HAS, 2.5 million passengers connected to Mexico, a 27% increase from 2019. Nearly 75,000 passengers connected to Australia/New Zealand, a 24% increase from 2019, and nearly 233,000 passengers connected to the Middle East, up 7% from 2019.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...Pos=2#cxrecs_s

United Airlines adds flights to its summer schedule, including in Houston


By Ben Miller, contributing writer; Olivia Pulsinelli, Houston Business Journal
Jan 29, 2024

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAL) unveiled its summer schedule Jan. 25, adding new flights from all seven of its U.S. hubs, including Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

The Chicago-based carrier said it plans to fly 100 routes with dual cabin aircraft this summer from Houston. United will add more than 40 new flights from IAH to some of the most popular U.S. destinations this summer, including Tampa, Florida; Boston; Charleston, South Carolina; and Miami.

Notably, United will resume nonstop service between Houston and Ontario, California, in May for the first time since 2022. Previously, United also said it would offer new nonstop service between Houston and Georgetown, Guyana, becoming the first airline to do so. Those flights are scheduled to begin April 1.

United's summer schedule announcement comes on the heels of Denver-based Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: ULCC) announcing new routes out of Houston to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). It also comes after IAH and William P. Hobby Airport welcomed a record-setting number of travelers in 2023.

Overall, United has scheduled more than 100 new flights to cities in the U.S. and Canada this summer.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...Pos=9#cxrecs_s

Longtime Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz retires, replacement named

By Sofia Gonzalez – Reporter, Houston Business Journal
Feb 2, 2024

Houston Mayor John Whitmire is continuing to make changes to city leadership with the naming of Jim Szczesniak as the Houston Airport System’s new interim director.

Szczesniak succeeds Mario Diaz, who has overseen HAS — which includes George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport — since mid-2010. Prior to his interim director role, Szczesniak became the COO for the Houston Airport System in 2022.

Szczesniak will serve in the interim role until City Council confirms him as the permanent director of HAS, Whitmire wrote in a Feb. 2 memo obtained by the Houston Business Journal.

“I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to Mario Diaz, the departing airport director, for his 14 years of dedicated service and contributions to our airport system and our city,” Szczesniak wrote in a LinkedIn post. “Under his leadership, the airport system achieved significant milestones and set a strong foundation for future success. His commitment and passion have been invaluable, and I extend my best wishes to him in his future endeavors.”

According to the Feb. 2 memo, Whitmire told City Council members that Diaz had notified him of his intent to retire.

"Over the past 13 years, Mario has been a visionary and dedicated leader for our city,” Whitmire wrote. “As he embarks on a new chapter, I extend my appreciation for his contributions to the City of Houston and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...lvet-taco.html

William P. Hobby Airport officially welcomes The Spot; Velvet Taco opening next

By Sofia Gonzalez – Reporter, Houston Business Journal
Feb 13, 2024

Travelers flying through William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) have a new dining option to indulge in: The Spot.

The Galveston classic is located near Gate 1, according to a Feb. 12 tweet from Hobby Airport. The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Fridays, and from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The Spot Bar, located at Gate 4, is also open during the same hours.

The menu will feature breakfast offerings such as a breakfast taco plate, a breakfast burger, pancakes with powdered sugar, morning cocktails and a variety of coffee. Other menu offerings also include bar bites, burgers and sandwiches, wings, beachfront tacos, seafood, shakes, salads, tropical cocktails, margaritas, beers and wines, among other items.

And next up on the list of new HOU eateries is Velvet Taco. According to a Houston Airport System spokesperson, the Dallas-based taco chain will open in Hobby by the end of the week. Other permanent concepts that have recently opened at HOU include Fat Cat Creamery and Dunkin Donuts.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...Pos=2#cxrecs_s

Frontier Airlines announces 17 new nonstop routes at US airports,
including at IAH

By Jessica Gibbs – Reporter, Denver Business Journal
Feb 29, 2024

Denver-based Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: ULCC) is launching 17 new nonstop routes from airports throughout the U.S. and internationally this spring, including in Houston, the airline announced Feb. 28.

In Houston, Frontier is adding two new routes at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Service to both Ontario International Airport (ONT) in Southern California and O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago begins on May 17. Both routes run four times per week.

“We are excited to yet again expand our route map with a focus on underserved and overpriced markets as we head into spring,” Josh Flyr, Frontier’s vice president of network and operations design, said in a news release. “Increasing the number of cities with an ultra-low fare option helps ensure even more consumers can take to the skies this year to visit friends and family or experience a new destination on their travel wish list.”

The new routes will launch from cities including Atlanta, Nashville, Denver, Orlando, Ontario, Chicago and Portland, among others. Most of the new routes will run three to four times weekly.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...confirmed.html

City Council confirms Jim Szczesniak as new Houston Airport System director

By Olivia Pulsinelli – Assistant managing editor, Houston Business Journal
Feb 29, 2024

Houston City Council unanimously confirmed Jim Szczesniak as the new director of aviation for the Houston Airport System on Feb. 28.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire first named Szczesniak as the interim director when Mario Diaz stepped down on Feb. 2 after leading HAS since mid-2010. Prior to taking over the director role, Szczesniak had been COO of HAS since 2022.

In his new role, Szczesniak will oversee the management and operations of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Ellington Airport (EFD) and the Houston Spaceport.

Szczesniak will also now be responsible for working with Whitmire’s administration and City Controller Chris Hollins to oversee new projects. One project in particular that is still awaiting city funding for its final stamp of approval is United Airlines’ (Nasdaq: UAL) IAH Terminal B redevelopment program. The $2.6 billion project — of which $624 million is expected to come from the city — will modernize and triple the capacity of the current facility, which was built in 1969.

"I am confident that Jim Szczesniak’s proven track record and visionary leadership will propel Houston Airports and the Houston Spaceport to become first-class operations,” Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement. "Our airport system is part of the nerve system of this great city and you cannot take it for granted. I stand ready to join Mr. Szczesniak in a united endeavor and I believe that greater days are in front of us."

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https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/a...ths-long-halt/

City of Houston to vote on first payment for United Airlines $2.6 billion project after months-long halt

The city has a total commitment of $625 million, to be made in 12 and 24 months, and United will spend more than $1.9 billion according to the plan.

Ashley Brown | Posted On
March 4, 2024, 5:09 PM

Houston City Council is expected to vote on Wednesday on the proposed funding expansion of United Airlines Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The vote comes almost four months after the previous controller halted the funding for the project.

The City of Houston was supposed to pay the first installment of $150 million in early November to United Airlines to jumpstart the project. The city has a total commitment of $625 million, to be made in 12 and 24 months, and United will spend more than $1.9 billion according to the plan. Week after week, former city controller Chris Brown, who wrapped up his term in December, failed to sign off on the funding. At the time, Brown said he was concerned about the financial impact of the deal on the city's finances.

"I'm elected by the taxpayers to ensure we're making smart use of funds and making smart decisions that don't jeopardize the taxpayers in the future,” Brown previously told Houston Public Media.

After an ongoing debate between Brown, former Mayor Sylvester Turner, and council members, a memorandum of agreement was signed on November 15 despite the funding questions. The agreement between United Airlines and the City of Houston confirmed both parties were still in support of the plan.

United is the only airline that operates out of Terminal B and the new project aims to triple its capacity – with an estimated 36 million passengers in the coming years. The airline celebrated a groundbreaking in November, although construction had not started and there was no clear date on when the project would take off.

The $2.6 billion redevelopment project is expected to bring over 3,000 jobs, 40 new gates for domestic and international travel, new amenities, and reconstructing its north and south concourses. According to the city, Terminal B is overdue for an upgrade, opening in 1969, as one of the original terminals at Bush.

Now, the plan is moving forward under the hands of the new administration.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...h-flights.html

United Airlines to fly new route to Colombia from Houston's IAH

By Olivia Pulsinelli – Assistant managing editor, Houston Business Journal
Mar 14, 2024

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAL) will fly nonstop to Medellin, Colombia, for the first time ever this fall, the Houston Airport System announced March 13.

The new daily service from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Medellin will complement existing service from both Houston and New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Bogota, Colombia. United will fly the new route starting Oct. 27, and tickets will be available later this year.

This brings United to 52 routes from Houston to Latin America alone.

Overall, United now offers more international destinations than any other U.S. carrier, with nonstop service to 134 such locations across 67 countries, according to press releases from HAS and United.

"We have consistently been ahead of the curve in finding hidden gem destinations for our customers to explore and remain committed to providing the most unique slate of travel options for their adventures abroad," Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, said in the releases. "With our leading global network and elevated inflight experience, United has become the airline of choice for discerning customers looking for experiences they can't have with any other carrier."

In November, United said it would become the first airline to fly from Houston to Georgetown, Guyana. The new route from IAH begins April 1 with four flights per week. It will be the only existing nonstop flight from Houston to the entire country of Guyana, which is on the northern coast of South America.

Houston also will soon become one of the first U.S. cities with flights to a new airport in Tulum, Mexico.

United plans to offer nonstop flights to Tulum International Airport (TQO) from IAH as well as Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Newark. The 22 weekly flights — including two daily from IAH — are expected to start March 31. Additionally, United plans to add daily seasonal service from Los Angeles on May 23.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...Pos=1#cxrecs_s

Houston approves first round of funding for United Airlines' $2.6 billion IAH project

By Chandler France – Reporter, Houston Business Journal
Mar 20, 2024

It’s official: Houston City Council has approved its first round of funding for United Airlines’ $2.6 billion Terminal B redevelopment project at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

After months of delays, an item to provide $150 million in city funding for the project was once again included on council’s March 6 agenda. However, that meeting was adjourned before new City Controller Chris Hollins signed off on the funding, so council members did not have the opportunity to vote on the ordinance. The funding officially came up for a vote during the March 20 meeting and was approved.

“United Airlines is committed to providing the best travel experience to our customers and that includes investing in the $2.6B redevelopment of our Houston hub,” Chicago-based United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAL) said in a statement. “We are thrilled that Houston City Council voted to approve their portion of this project, so that we can deliver on the numerous benefits to our customers and employees and continue to invest in the city of Houston.”

Houston Airport System Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak said during the city council meeting that the redevelopment will be a “welcome improvement” for the 50-year-old Terminal B. The project will modernize and triple the capacity of the terminal, which will span 765,000 square feet across three levels, featuring 22 mainline narrow-body and 18 large regional gates as well as two major concession hubs with 115,000 square feet of food and retail space, among other improvements.

The $150 million in funding is the first of three appropriations the city expects to give United over the course of the project. The city’s portion of the project will total $624 million, which is expected to be fully recoverable. Houston will need to approve future ordinances to provide United with further funding, Finance Director Melissa Dubowski said during the meeting.

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https://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...o-19351230.php

New nonstop flight coming to Houston this summer
By Hana Ikramuddin,
Staff writer
March 21, 2024

A new nonstop flight to Tweed-New Haven Airport in Southern Connecticut is making its way to Houston.

Avelo, established in 2018 and based in Houston, will be the only airline connecting William P. Hobby Airport to Connecticut via a nonstop flight when the service starts June 14, a news release announced. Flights will depart twice a week on Fridays and Mondays on a Boeing Next Generation 737 aircraft.

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https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/hobby-airport-cheapest-1-day-19418151.php

Houston Hobby Airport ranked one of the cheapest airports in North America — if you spend the night

By Octavia Johnson,
Staff writer
April 24, 2024

The William P. Hobby Airport has been ranked the second most wallet-friendly airport in North America, according to a study.

Casino.ca analyzed the 50 busiest airports to find out which companies are cheaper based on the cost of a pint of beer, a night in a hotel room and a night of parking. In their study, Hobby Airport was No. 2, following behind San Jose International Airport which took the top spot.

The study found that Hobby Airport averaged $7.95 per beer, the lowest parking fee was about $12 for one night and the airport hotel can be under $120 for one night. The study didn't factor in eateries. However, Hobby Airport has food companies, including new restaurants such as Velvet Tacos which sells tacos for $10-20, according to fly2houston.com.

Ticket prices for airports depend on the airlines in the U.S.

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Given the presence of SWA at HOU, it makes sense and really doesn't disrupt much.

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...Pos=0#cxrecs_s

Southwest Airlines to end operations at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

By Olivia Pulsinelli – Assistant managing editor, Houston Business Journal
Apr 25, 2024

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) will no longer service Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and three other airports as of Aug. 4.

The other airports are Bellingham International Airport in Washington state, Cozumel International Airport in Mexico and Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York state. Also, Southwest plans to significantly restructure its operations in other markets, including reducing capacity at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Southwest resumed operations at IAH and O'Hare in 2021. The airline has a significantly larger presence at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) — where it represents more than 90% of the market share — and Chicago's Midway International Airport.