Welcome toGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport

It began with a leap of faith and a 7,700-mile nonstop journey across the Pacific. In June 2015, EVA Air launched its inaugural flight between Taipei and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. Ten years later, what started as a bold investment in connectivity has become one of the most enduring and transformative links between Asia and the American South.On June 26, Houston marked that milestone with a celebration as dynamic as the relationship itself. Set against the backdrop of the Houston Zoo, the event blended aviation, art and conservation into a single message: this isn’t just a route, it’s a relationship. A mural unveiling, a rare wildlife transfer and a reunion of global civic leaders captured the spirit of what EVA Air’s Houston route has grown to represent.In the decade since its launch, the Houston–Taipei flight has evolved into EVA Air’s longest-serving North American route, offering travelers seamless access between two economic engines. It has moved far more than passengers; it has carried business opportunities, family reunions, scientific exchange and artistic collaboration. It helped Houston transcend its coastal rivals as a central gateway to Asia, elevating its global profile and expanding EVA’s own reach in the Western Hemisphere.But this is more than a story of aviation metrics or passenger counts. It’s a story of city diplomacy and long-term commitment. The partnership has deepened a sister-city relationship between Houston and Taipei that dates back 64 years—Houston’s first official international alliance. That bond now manifests in co-created public art, cross-zoo conservation efforts and a deepening cultural understanding that transcends language and borders.At the heart of the anniversary celebration is a mural—a riot of color painted by Houston street art icon GONZO247 and Taipei’s trendsetting artist BOUNCE. Its twin, to be installed this fall at the Taipei Zoo, visually captures the interconnectedness of the two cities: their urban energy, their natural ecosystems and their shared imagination. Nearby, conservationists mark the international relocation of Harris, a male bongo antelope from Houston to Taipei—a gesture made possible by EVA Air’s expertise in sensitive cargo transport and symbolic of a broader mission to preserve life across continents.All of this is happening at a moment of reinvention for Houston’s airports. With the new world-class International Terminal on the cusp of full completion, Houston is investing heavily in infrastructure designed for a global audience. The terminal will serve as a gateway for international carriers like EVA Air, fitting, as the city prepares to take the global stage as a host of the 2026 World Cup.Ten years ago, a single flight changed the way Houston connects to Asia. Today, the result is a decade of growth, diplomacy, and shared ambition, carried forward at 38,000 feet.

There’s choreography, and then there’s coordination. What unfolded this past week at Houston’s airports was both—and more.As Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour descended on her hometown, Houston Airports pulled off a never-before-seen activation that transformed terminals into tributes. But this wasn’t just about sparkle and signage. It was about civic creativity, logistical prowess and a forward-looking strategy that hints at the future of major events in Houston, starting at the gate.At the center of the effort: Simone Wilson, Digital Experience Marketing Manager for Houston Airports and the visionary behind Cowboy Corner. The pop-up activation, live on Thursday, June 26, Friday, June 27 and Monday, June 30, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), combined Houston pride with high-touch design—interactive photo backdrops, vibrant digital displays and a curated traveler experience that nods to the star’s Southern roots and global influence.“This was about making travelers feel the magic of the moment,” said Wilson. “It’s Beyoncé’s homecoming, but it’s also Houston’s. We wanted to turn airport arrivals into a celebration that feels uniquely us.”The response was instant. Staff danced with passengers. Harmony in the Air musicians mixed Queen Bey covers with country hits. Therapy dogs wagged their tails beneath disco cowboy hats. Travelers—whether or not they had tickets to the sold-out show at NRG Stadium—snapped selfies with vibrant digital signage, many wearing custom sashes made just steps from TSA. The moment was everywhere: captured by superfans, shared on TikTok and Instagram and quickly picked up by local and national press.But Wilson says the effort was about more than honoring a hometown icon; it was also a dry run for what’s coming. “We don’t have a playbook yet for terminal takeovers at this scale,” Wilson said. “We know the World Cup will bring unprecedented traffic, expectations and opportunity. We needed to build a muscle for how we do something big and do it well. Beyoncé gave us a chance to flex.”RELATED | Houston Airports connects fans to every 2026 tournament host cityWilson rallied the Houston Airports Marketing team, HOU and IAH Terminal Operations, Communications and Maintenance and Facilities. Together, they pulled off a full-scale activation during one of the summer’s busiest travel windows.“This was proof of concept,” she added. “We can move fast. We can work cross-functionally. And we can bring art, culture and celebration into the terminal without disrupting operations. That’s everything we’ll need in 2026 and beyond.”Indeed, Houston is one of 16 cities hosting matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, and the world will soon descend on Bush and Hobby airports. But first came the BeyHive, treating Beyoncé’s only Texas tour stop like a pilgrimage. Reddit threads buzzed with anticipation. Fans posted flight itineraries and fashion previews. Some even called it “the real Renaissance.”For Houston Airports, it was more than a moment. It was a movement.“We didn’t just put up a backdrop,” said Wilson. “We delivered an experience. And we proved something important: when it comes to welcoming the world, Houston Airports is more than ready. We’re in formation.”RELATED | One terminal. One clock. One unforgettable kickoff to the 2026 World Cup

Aerial photos of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) from May 2024 show a bare apron, scattered dirt patches and early groundwork.Twelve months later, June 2025 imagery reveals dramatic change: a sprawling dual-pier steel structure, newly installed curtain wall glass and a maze of cranes and support vehicles humming across the tarmac.From the ground, the transformation is even more striking. Glass now stretches across the new Terminal B North concourse, catching reflections of the sky and signaling the terminal’s future form. Massive cranes tower above the construction zone as workers install roof decking, shape exterior cladding and guide heavy steel into place. Progress is layered: steel above, concrete below, and nonstop movement in between.The Terminal B Transformation is no cosmetic upgrade. Led by United Airlines in partnership with Houston Airports, the project is a complete overhaul that will :• Add 22 new gates on the Terminal B North concourses, boosting Terminal B passenger capacity.• Upgrade 18 gates at Terminal B South with passenger boarding bridges.• Double the size of the central processing facility used for check-in, TSA and baggage claim. • Expand check-in and baggage halls to handle 36 million passengers annually.The future is beginning to take shape—literally. The new processor will feature more than 1,000 glass panels. Each panel measures approximately 5 feet wide by 15 feet tall, and the glass height from ground to top will expand up to 45 feet. Once completed, the new Terminal B processor will feature 67,000 square feet of glass, including an unobstructed view of the new Ticketing Hall.The pace of construction is especially noteworthy considering the airport's record-setting traffic. In 2024, Bush Airport served 48.4 million passengers—its highest annual total to date. United Airlines alone accounted for 34.8 million of those travelers. Construction at Terminal B has advanced through a year of record-breaking summer crowds, as well as busy holiday travel periods, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. The ability to maintain this momentum while delivering daily service at one of the nation's largest hub airports reflects unprecedented coordination, planning and execution.Terminal B has long been among IAH’s oldest, with the airport celebrating 56 years of operations this June. The terminal’s rebirth positions Houston for even more international markets and global connectivity.The transformation remains on track to finish by fall 2026. As the steel rises and glass gleams, Houston is making a statement grounded in construction: this city builds not just for today, but for the world it’s ready to welcome.LEARN MORE | IAH Terminal B Transformation