In a city built on ambition and resilience, Houston Airports proved in 2024 that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning. Over the last 12 months, the 1,300 men and women who keep George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) running have tackled challenges, embraced change and redefined what it means to deliver a user-friendly airport experience.

Under the first-year leadership of Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who made it clear that common-sense solutions and passenger-focused improvements were a priority, Houston Airports didn't only step up—it soared.

In February, Mayor Whitmire and the City Council appointed Jim Szczesniak as director of aviation for Houston Airports. In March, Szczesniak hand-selected Kelly Woodward to be the airport system’s chief operating officer. Woodward is the first woman to hold the position for Houston Airports. Both Szczesniak and Woodward have extensive experience in airport operations. In 2024, it showed.

Passenger traffic surged to a projected 63.3 million travelers—a 5.5% increase over 2023. (Final passenger totals for 2024 were pending at the time of publication). From record-breaking holiday traffic to smoother curbside flows and cutting-edge renovations, Houston Airports delivered results that reflect the city’s forward-thinking spirit and no-nonsense determination.

A year of bold expectations
For Szczesniak, 2024 wasn’t just a year of growth, it was a year of proving what’s possible when you focus on the details that matter to passengers.

“When Mayor Whitmire laid out his vision for Houston, we knew we had work to do,” said Szczesniak. “The expectations were clear—cut the traffic jams, modernize the experience and make travel simpler and less stressful. I’m proud of how our team embraced the challenge and delivered results that our passengers noticed and appreciated.”

Houston Airports wasted no time making improvements. From December 20 to December 30, 1.7 million passengers traveled through Bush Airport—a 300,000 increase from the previous year. Despite this record volume, traffic conditions at the airport improved dramatically.

Heavy traffic periods were down 90%, and severe congestion was reduced by 99%, dropping from 5.4 hours of gridlock last Christmas to just 2 minutes this year.

“Houston Airports has made real progress in addressing challenges and improving the passenger experience, but we know there’s always more work to be done. The first step to fixing any issue is recognizing it, and I’m encouraged to see the dedication of our employees who are committed to tackling problems head-on with smart, passenger-focused solutions,” said Szczesniak. “ As a global city, Houston deserves safe, clean and welcoming airports—and Houston Airports will continue to raise the bar.”

An airport shaped by people, not just projects
Behind the numbers are the 1,300 Houston Airports employees who turned plans into reality. Landside agents and law enforcement worked the curbs to keep traffic flowing. Custodians maintained spotless restrooms, which earned a 25% satisfaction boost at Bush Airport and a 13% improvement at Hobby Airport. In May 2024, the Houston City Council approved $30 million for major restroom renovations at Bush and Hobby airports.

“That’s the impact of smart planning and teamwork,” Szczesniak said. “We didn’t just hope things would go better—we built systems to make sure they would.” Customer service representatives, dressed in new bright orange uniforms for easy recognition, were there to answer questions and calm nerves—especially during peak holiday travel periods.

“Our employees are the heart of everything we do,” said Kelly Woodward, chief operating officer for Houston Airports. “Their dedication to serving passengers—whether it’s keeping terminals clean, directing traffic, or answering questions with a smile—helped us not only meet expectations but exceed them.”

Woodward added that teamwork across departments fueled the progress. “Houston is a city that pulls together, and Houston Airports reflects that spirit. We tackled complex challenges, but we did it as a team, working with Houston Public Works, Houston Police and Houston Fire, and that’s what made the difference.”

Building the future
Houston Airports also focused on laying the groundwork for long-term growth, investing in projects designed to keep Houston competitive as a global gateway.

At Bush Airport, the new International Arrivals Curb opened in December, featuring seven dedicated lanes to reduce congestion and speed up passenger pick-ups. The Terminal D-West Pier, which opened in October, added six international gates, expanded concessions and new art installations, blending efficiency with Houston’s cultural flair.

Hobby Airport is preparing for its next evolution. The $470 million West Concourse Expansion broke ground in 2024 and will deliver seven new gates, an expanded baggage claim and enhanced natural lighting by 2027. The project promises to make Hobby—already North America’s only 5-star Skytrax airport—even more passenger-friendly. 

Connecting Houston to the world
The focus wasn’t just on infrastructure. Houston Airports grew its network of nonstop destinations, including new flights from United Airlines to Tulum, Mexico, and Medellín, Colombia, and the launch of low-cost Zipair service to Tokyo in early 2025.

Passengers also enjoyed new dining and retail options, like Fat Cat Creamery and Velvet Taco at Hobby and The Annie and The Kitchen at Bush.

Technology improvements played a major role as well, with Houston Airports quadrupling Wi-Fi speeds to 100 Mbps, deploying Wi-Fi 6e, and introducing a cashless parking system to make arrivals and departures seamless with automated and expedited entry and exit into Houston Airports parking lots and garages.

Recognition on the world stage
These efforts didn’t go unnoticed. In 2024, Hobby Airport retained its 5-star Skytrax rating, the first and only North American airport to hold that honor. Houston Airports also earned the title of World’s Best Airport Art Program for the second straight year and achieved Level 2 Carbon Accreditation-Reduction for sustainability efforts from Airport Council International.

Looking ahead
Major construction projects, including the IAH Terminal B Transformation and the HOU West Concourse Expansion, are continuing at both airports. Houston Airports is committed to staying ahead of growth while maintaining the passenger experience at the forefront. 

“Houston deserves airports that match its status as a world-class city,” said Szczesniak. “We’re not just reacting to growth—we’re planning for it, investing in it and making sure every step forward is focused on passengers.”

Woodward echoed the sentiment. “This first year has shown us what’s possible when you have the right people, the right priorities, and the drive to succeed. We’re excited for what’s next.”