An appearance by former President George H. W. Bush will highlight the annual State of the Airports event on  November 17. The luncheon will recognize the Houston Airport System’s (HAS) $24 billion dollar impact to the Houston economy, major accomplishments over the last year, and the 40th anniversary of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). It will be hosted by the Houston Airport System and the Greater Houston Partnership at the Hilton Americas hotel downtown.

“When you visit an airport you see the entire human experience unfold right in front of you,” says the former president. “This is where families come together, this is where our heroes are welcomed home, it’s a place that is absolutely vital to the strength and health of our economy.”

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Houston’s largest airport, President Bush is featured in a special public service announcement and a video, "Flying Back in Time," both can be viewed at fly2houston.com.

Highlights of the State of the Airports, which will be presented by Eric Potts, interim director of aviation for the city of Houston, feature:

New air service including- Cathay Pacific Cargo, Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines service to Rio de Janeiro

• New Fresh Air Cargo Facility
• Major Capital Projects – 2009
• Newly Expanded USO Center

The celebration will also recognize past airport directors and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) executives. The Houston Airport System has partnered with the FAA on more than 21 major projects totaling some $272 million dollars during the past five years.

Runway 9/27, the state-of-the-art Category III runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport has garnered the Houston Airport System the coveted Spirit of Cooperation Award from the Federal Aviation Administration. The award honors and recognizes the seamless collaboration between the two organizations during the rehabilitation of the runway.

The FAA also awarded the Houston Airport System a $5.5 million dollar grant from the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions program (VALE), for equipment upgrades to help reduce emissions at Bush Intercontinental by 60-percent.