HOUSTON — The song claims the stars are “big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.”

Closer to the Gulf Coast, when it comes to international air service at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, there are plenty of stars to go around.

Skytrax, a leading global air transport rating organization that recently awarded Hobby Airport with a 4-star rating for 2016, recently named EVA Air a 5-star airline for the first time. EVA Air is one of eight airlines certified as 5-star quality, and now four of those airlines provide service out of Bush Intercontinental.

Along with EVA, carriers at Bush Intercontinental with 5 stars from Skytrax include All Nippon Airways, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.

Famous for its Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, EVA began operations at Bush Intercontinental in June 2015, and recently expanded its non-stop service to Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei to six days a week. In October 2016, it plans to expand service to seven days a week.

“We are very happy that EVA’s outstanding customer service and commitment to excellence has been recognized by a respected industry leader like Skytrax,’ said Molly Waits, the Director of Air Service Development for the Houston Airport System. “EVA provides a fresh and vibrant business approach that has obviously been a hit with their customers in Houston.  And much like EVA, the Houston Airport System continues our efforts to enhance the overall customer experience at our airports.  We’ve opened an assortment of new restaurants and retail shops and parking options at both Bush and Hobby airports, and we have re-designed our website with the customer experience in mind.”

With more than 10.6 million international passengers served at Bush Intercontinental in 2015, the Houston Airport System has seen steady growth in that market. Since 2005 international travel at Bush Intercontinental has increased by 53 percent, growing from 6.9 million in 2005 to the record-setting total in 2015.

Through May 2016, more than 110,000 passengers have enjoyed EVA’s 5-star service in its inaugural year at Bush Intercontinental.