Welcome toGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport

The mission of Houston Airports is to connect the people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world to Houston. But this time, the story starts in Salina, Kansas— and ends with a warm welcome in Space City.On May 2, the first-ever daily nonstop flight from Salina Regional Airport (SLN) to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) took off, officially making the Kansas city the only Essential Air Service airport in the U.S. with direct service to three United hubs: Denver, Chicago and now Houston.Part of a federal program designed to ensure small communities stay connected to the national air network, EAS airports like Salina receive subsidized flights to larger hubs, and this new route opens the door to a world of possibility.The milestone opens up new global opportunities for Salina’s travelers, especially those looking to reach Latin America. From IAH, passengers can now easily connect to destinations in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and major U.S. cities like Orlando — a fact not lost on families already eyeing summer vacations to Disney World or Universal Studios.“It’s exciting—not only for Salina, but also for Houston,” said United Airlines Regional Manager Todd Hamburg. “We love getting new routes. This is a great opportunity to connect travelers across the Americas.”But this wasn’t just a flight—it was a relationship years in the making.According to the Salina Journal, interest in Houston emerged nearly a decade ago through passenger surveys that named it the most-requested destination. Oil and gas connections and companies like Schwan’s, which has business ties in Houston, helped make the case.Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Pieter Miller said conversations began in earnest in 2019 but were delayed by the pandemic. The turning point came when 1 Vision Aviation moved a maintenance facility to Salina, enabling overnight aircraft rotations — a key requirement for SkyWest Airlines, which operates the flights as United Express using CRJ-200 jets.Now, a new chapter has taken flight.When Miller and his team landed at IAH on launch day, Houston Airports customer service representatives met them at the gate with swag bags, warm smiles and a guided tour of the terminal.Representatives from the Salina Regional Airport toured IAH on May 2, 2025.“We proudly expressed our commitment to excellence,” said Sherrill-Ann Clarke, IAH operations supervisor for customer service at Houston Airports. “As we walked through the airport, they were impressed by our "World's Best Airport Art" program. We shared with them our commitment to making our airports accessible to all through our participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard program and maintenance of companion care restrooms, Mother's and Sensory rooms, with which they were very impressed."That experience included a walk-through of IAH’s award-winning Harmony in the Air performing arts program. "As we concluded the tour, they expressed feeling like they had received a genuine passenger experience at IAH," said Clarke. "We emphasized that Houston Airports is dedicated to ensuring that all passengers have positive and memorable experiences throughout their time in our airports; we also shared our understanding that travel can sometimes be stressful, and that our goal is to create a welcoming environment that enhances each step of their journey."As Houston strengthens its position as a global gateway, stories like Salina’s offer a fresh reminder: while we’re proud to connect the world, we’re just as proud to be the destination for travelers from places that have long waited to come here.“We want every passenger to feel welcomed, respected and supported,” said Andrew Czobor, assistant director of IAH customer service and guest experience for Houston Airports. “That’s not just a mission — it’s our culture.”“This flight isn’t just a convenience,” Czobor added. “It’s an invitation. And in Houston, we believe every traveler deserves a memorable experience from the moment they land.”Launch day details first reported by KSAL.

There was no real smoke. No flames to extinguish. But the stakes were still sky-high.At precisely 9:31 a.m. on a quiet Saturday morning, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) transformed into the scene of a simulated aircraft emergency—a full-scale exercise mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designed to test how the airport and its partners would respond to a crisis no one ever hopes to face.The simulation: an aircraft engine fire results in dozens of injuries. Within moments, emergency teams move into action. Airside operations, fire and rescue crews and field personnel converge. Radios crackle. Plans activate—every second counts.This was no ordinary drill. Houston’s triennial emergency exercise was an extensive, high-pressure event that brought together hundreds of people, from first responders to student volunteers, focused on one goal: readiness.“This isn’t just a requirement—it’s a responsibility,” said Kelly Woodward, chief operating officer for Houston Airports. “These exercises sharpen our response, strengthen our coordination and ultimately save lives.”Required by the FAA. Practiced to perfection.The Federal Aviation Administration requires a full-scale emergency exercise at least once every three years to ensure airports are prepared for large-scale emergencies such as aircraft accidents. The 2022 exercise happened at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). This triennial drill is the most comprehensive test of an airport’s emergency plan, evaluating response capabilities, communication protocols and coordination between agencies. The goals of the full-scale emergency exercise are clear:- Validate emergency plans in a fast-moving, realistic scenario.- Ensure every participant, from airport personnel to local responders, knows their role.- Identify and address any gaps in training or coordination.- Comply with federal safety regulations outlined in 14 CFR Part 139.Tabletop exercises keep plans current between triennial events. But nothing compares to the rhythm, stress and complexity of a full-scale test.Volunteers With a MissionNearly 250 people volunteered to make the simulation happen, that includes teens. Students from Humble ISD’s Kingwood High School theater program played the roles of injured passengers—without props, smoke, or makeup. Instead, they brought energy, realism and a willingness to help Houston practice saving lives.“This was about more than drama,” said Ella Ghica, manager of outreach initiatives and volunteer programs for Houston Airports. “Our students understood the purpose—and they showed up ready to make it real.”Ghica, who coordinated the volunteers for Houston Airports with IAH Emergency Management Coordinator Austen McMillin, said their presence elevated the entire exercise. “Their energy and commitment gave our teams something real to respond to. They made the difference.”Putting Equipment and Coordination to the TestThough the ARFF trucks from the Houston Fire Department didn’t deploy foam or extinguish a fire, they were critical to the response. These state-of-the-art vehicles—part of a recent $4.6 million investment by Houston Airports—were staged and mobilized, testing their integration with other units and confirming Houston’s operational readiness.The airport system’s mobile incident command vehicle and the Atascocita Fire Department’s mass casualty evacuation ambulance were also activated. Both played key roles in simulating coordination and triage operations.Multiple agencies, from the federal to the local level, simulated what would happen if the worst became real.Real Stakes. Real Preparation.Exercises like this may unfold without drama for the public, but behind the scenes, they’re a full-scale commitment to safety. “To the traveling public, it might just be another Saturday,” said Woodward. “But for us, it’s a critical opportunity to test everything—and make sure we’re ready when it truly matters.”

A new NASA exhibit is turning heads near Gate E10 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)—and it’s doing more than just showcasing space boots and lunar dreams. It’s reclaiming Houston’s title as the launchpad of imagination.Titled The Art of Artemis, the display is a bold collision of science, history and contemporary art—delivering a powerful visual story about humanity’s return to the Moon and the next giant leap toward Mars.At the heart of the exhibit are mural-style works by Houston visual artist David Maldonado—whose signature blend of street art and Mexican American folk imagery brings cosmic exploration down to earth. One mural depicts a Mars rover barreling across a red-orange landscape. Another mural celebrates Apollo’s legacy, with astronauts planting an American flag and the words “On the shoulders of giants” stretching across the lunar dust. Maldonado’s pieces don’t just decorate the space—they humanize it.The installation features custom-painted high-top sneakers that combine urban street art with the science of space exploration and children’s artwork envisioning the future of space travel. Anchored by a digital tribute from Apollo missions to Artemis missions, it’s both a nod to the past and a call to the next generation.“This is more than a NASA display—it’s a reminder that Houston has always been central to humanity’s biggest steps forward,” said Alton DuLaney, curator of public and cultural art for Houston Airports. “It’s personal for this city. Apollo, Artemis—it all points back to Houston.”The exhibit’s location is fitting. Terminal E sits just steps from the recently expanded Terminal D. Both terminals are part of a $1.458 billion overhaul—the single largest investment by Houston Airports since Bush Airport opened in June 1969, just weeks before Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon.“There’s a relevance to bringing this to Terminal E,” DuLaney said. “It’s been over a year since NASA had a presence at IAH. After we removed the original display during the early stages of the Terminal B Transformation project, we knew we had to bring back this cultural collaboration bigger and stronger.”The airport system’s commitment to visual arts is gaining global recognition. Earlier this year, the Skytrax World Airport Awards named the Houston Airports art program the “World’s Best Airport Art” for the third year in a row.“We don’t treat art as an afterthought here,” DuLaney said. “We curate experiences. We tell stories. This new exhibit makes space exploration feel urgent and alive—and it reminds travelers that when you fly through Houston, you’re stepping through the gateway to the stars.”The Art of Artemis is now displayed in Terminal E near Gate E10.