Houston Airports opens Integrated Coordination Center at IAH

Aug 26, 2025

HOUSTON — Houston Airports opened its first Integrated Coordination Center (ICC), a state-of-the-art hub designed to centralize operations, improve public safety and ensure unified, transparent communication during emergencies.

Located at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the ICC brings together key airport departments and partners — including the Airport Operations Coordination Center, TSA Security Operations Center, Houston Police Department, gate control, maintenance dispatch and terminal operations — into one facility for the first time.

“This is about keeping Houston safe, prepared, and connected,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire. “Houston works best when we’re all working together. By housing all law enforcement and aviation partners under one roof, we enhance our ability to respond quickly to any situation at Bush Airport and communicate effectively with the public. It’s exactly the kind of collaboration and transparency Houstonians expect from their city.”

The ICC was developed through a collaborative effort, incorporating best practices from airports across the country and tailoring them to Houston’s needs. It monitors landside, airside and terminal operations around the clock and can transition instantly into emergency command mode during severe weather, major events or security incidents.

“Our mission is simple: to protect our passengers and our community,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “This facility gives us the tools, the partnerships and the real-time information we need to make that happen every hour of every day.”

The ICC will play a vital role during major events like the World Cup in 2026. “With the ICC, we can coordinate traffic, security and passenger movement in a way that’s seamless for the public. This is a major step forward in safety, efficiency and customer service,” said Szczesniak.

The ICC also reinforces the airport system’s commitment to transparency by providing a single point of coordination for public messaging during emergencies. This ensures that information is accurate, consistent and quickly shared with passengers, employees and the media.