Welcome toWilliam P. Hobby Airport

It wasn’t your typical airport drill. On a rainy April morning, Houston-area families walked through William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) not to catch a flight—but to prepare for one.Wings for All, a nationwide program hosted in partnership with The Arc, Southwest Airlines, TSA and Houston Airports, offered children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) a chance to rehearse the entire airport experience—from check-in to takeoff. Every available spot for the free event was filled within a day, underscoring the region’s growing need for inclusive travel resources.“We have one family hoping to go to the Philippines. Others want to visit grandparents. This event makes those dreams possible," said Laura LaVigne, CEO of The Arc of Fort Bend County.Created by The Arc, the Wings for All program gives families and aviation professionals the confidence to take to the skies with ease. Through a hands-on airport rehearsal and a presentation on aircraft features and safety protocols, the event provides a sensory-rich preview of the airport journey—without the stress of actual travel. For families navigating anxiety, sensory sensitivities or mobility limitations, that kind of exposure can turn apprehension into empowerment.“The airport is quite noisy and loud, and the ceilings are high. It’s often very scary for children with disabilities to maneuver a new environment like this,” said LaVigne. “So we have this practice session so they can come into Hobby Airport, see it, travel through it, and get used to it. Then they're more able to go on a vacation with their parents.”“This is personal for me, not just as a leader at Houston Airports, but as a mom,” said Kelly Woodward, chief operating officer of Houston Airports. “We created Houston’s first-ever airport sensory room at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in 2023 because I knew what a difference it could make for my own son. Wings for All builds on that mission—it helps families practice, prepare and feel empowered to travel.”During the event, participants received boarding passes, passed through TSA security, waited at the gate and boarded a Southwest Airlines aircraft that remained grounded. Trained airport, airline and TSA personnel collaborated to support each step of the experience.“Houston Airports, TSA, and Southwest Airlines do the heavy lifting,” LaVigne added. “We bring the families, but they run the event. And today was the largest group we’ve ever had—nearly 80 participants.”“We’re not just modernizing infrastructure—we’re modernizing the entire travel experience to make it more human,” Woodward added. “Events like this remind us that world-class service starts with meeting people where they are, and making sure every journey begins with dignity and care.”Wings for All also provides an opportunity for aviation professionals to interact with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a structured environment, allowing them to strengthen disability competency and refine services for all passengers. The program, originally developed by The Arc’s Charles River Center and the Massachusetts Port Authority, has been replicated across the country to promote more inclusive air travel.“This was our very first Wings for All event at Hobby Airport—and it was fabulous," said LaVigne. "Everybody was a pro. Everyone just kicked in and did their job.”Houston Airports has made significant strides in accessibility over the past year, including launching the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard program at both HOU and IAH, training more than 1,300 employees in disability awareness, and opening a second sensory room at IAH in Terminal D in 2024.April is Autism Awareness Month, but for Houston Airports, accessibility is a year-round priority. As families exited the aircraft, high-fives, hugs and a few joyful tears filled the gate area. For many, it wasn’t just a practice run. It was a breakthrough.RELATED | Every journey matters: How Houston Airports supports travelers with autismEXPLORE | Play areas, quiet spaces and sensory rooms at IAHEXPLORE | Play areas and quiet spaces at HOULEARN MORE | Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program

At Houston Airports, sustainability isn’t limited to a single department or a symbolic gesture once a year—it’s a long-term, system-wide commitment. From carbon reduction strategies to book-sharing libraries, green thinking is built into every part of the passenger journey.This Earth Day, that commitment comes into focus through meaningful progress and a clear target: carbon neutrality by 2030. As a participant in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, Houston Airports has already achieved Level 2 accreditation, confirming real reductions in emissions. Between 2019 and 2022, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) reduced emissions by 16%, and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) saw a 22% reduction. Those numbers reflect both operational improvements and broader modernization efforts—including upgrades to energy systems, electric vehicle integration and more efficient terminal practices.The shift to clean energy is happening across the board. Houston Airports continues to convert its light-duty fleet to electric vehicles, with more than a dozen now in service. Passengers are also benefiting from a growing number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located in parking garages and ecopark lots at both airports. Rental car partners are following suit. The IAH Rental Car Facility offers charging stations for electric and plug-in hybrid rentals, helping travelers make more sustainable choices without sacrificing convenience.Houston Airports recognizes that the guest experience begins in its parking facilities. In February 2024, Houston Airports upgraded its courtesy carts at the IAH Terminal Garages and HOU ecopark lot. They now feature comfortable seating for six in an enclosed cart that better protects guests from the elements. The courtesy carts are also 100% electric vehicles, which aligns with the commitment of Houston Airports to become carbon neutral by 2030.Airline partners are also transitioning ground support equipment—including tug carts and baggage vehicles—to electric power, reducing emissions at the gate and improving efficiency on the ramp. These upgrades are part of a collective push to reduce the environmental footprint of air travel, not only in the skies but on the ground.Inside the terminals, that same philosophy is reflected in everyday touchpoints. Hydration stations at IAH and HOU reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles, and recycling bins are placed throughout both airports to make waste diversion easier for passengers. Even the Little Free Libraries—inviting travelers to take a book, leave a book and share a story—underscore the airport system’s belief that sustainability includes how we treat each other and our shared resources.Terminal renovations are advancing that mission as well. In Terminal A at IAH, a year-long project is underway to polish decades-old flooring using a diamond-polishing process. The method reduces chemical usage and allows for easy maintenance using only water while improving passenger safety by making surfaces more slip-resistant. Once complete, the investment will breathe new life into a terminal that opened 56 years ago modernizing it without losing sight of its legacy.These upgrades come on top of significant forward-looking partnerships. Houston Airports and Wisk Aero are exploring the future of autonomous, electric air taxis in Houston—pushing the boundaries of clean, urban air mobility. The airport system also received federal funds for green energy upgrades and reduced greenhouse gas emissions across its facilities.In all, sustainability at Houston Airports is about more than technology or transit. It’s about creating thoughtful, intentional spaces that serve people while protecting the planet. This Earth Day, Houston Airports isn’t just celebrating progress—it’s reaffirming a simple but powerful belief: that small, collective actions—charging a car, recycling a page or sharing a book—can lead to a cleaner, more connected future.

When passengers fly through George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), most never realize that every call, alert and response is coordinated through a central location: the Airport Operations Center (AOC). Behind the scenes, this small but mighty team works around the clock to keep the airport—and everyone in it—safe, informed and moving.At Hobby Airport, Henry Dawson leads that effort as division manager of the AOC. “The AOC is the vital nerve of the airport,” Dawson explains. “Everything that happens—from a report of smoke in an aircraft cabin to an overflowing toilet—funnels through our center. Our job is to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.”The team of telecommunicators at both airports coordinates communications between airport stakeholders, ensures security and emergency protocols are followed, and responds to real-time calls from passengers and staff. The HOU AOC also answers calls for Ellington Airport (EFD). One moment, they might dispatch a maintenance crew to a terminal; the next, they could be activating emergency response for a medical call or coordinating law enforcement in response to a report of human trafficking.“We touch almost everything that happens at the airport—whether it’s behind the scenes or in direct response to a passenger’s need,” Dawson says.This year, Houston Airports is celebrating National Telecommunications Week, April 13–19, with a weeklong recognition of the AOC professionals at IAH and HOU. Dawson and his team have planned daily treats, hot meals and heartfelt gifts—from pizza and wings to custom lanyard pens and candles. Each small gesture honors the big impact this team makes.Chelsea Nelson, airport communications supervisor at IAH, says it best: “This is a 24/7 operation—rain or shine, holidays or weekends. When the phone rings, we never know what’s waiting on the other end. But this team always shows up and handles it with professionalism and heart.”Houston Airports employees assigned to the IAH AOC. Many AOC team members bring prior experience from emergency dispatch, 311 service centers and other customer-focused roles. Their diverse backgrounds and constant collaboration form a communications backbone that keeps Houston’s airports running efficiently and safely.While the AOC may be tucked away from public view, its impact reaches every terminal, taxiway and gate.“Passengers may never meet the professionals in our AOCs, but their work saves lives, protects people and keeps operations running safely every day,” said Steve Runge, chief of operations for Houston Airports. “From coordinating emergency responses to assisting lost travelers, this team is a lifeline—for our passengers, employees and partners. Their work is mission critical.”Across Houston Airports, 48 employees—33 at IAH and 15 at HOU—are assigned to work in the Airport Operations Centers. In 2024, the Hobby Airport AOC handled 46,667 phone calls, while the Bush Airport AOC handled 191,625 calls.For Nelson, National Telecommunications Week is more than a celebration—it’s an overdue spotlight.“This week gives us a chance to hit pause and celebrate all the moments the public never sees,” she says. “They’re coordinating emergency response, solving problems, helping passengers—and they do it all without missing a beat.”Dawson agrees. “They can’t do their jobs in silos. Everything requires communication and teamwork. That’s what makes the AOC work—and that’s what makes them extraordinary.”And this week, he hopes the team hears what travelers rarely get the chance to say out loud: thank you.