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Houston Airport System
May 14, 2007
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Over the last two and a half decades appreciation for Houston’s largest airport in the local region has increased dramatically – especially among those who have grown alongside the airport.
What started out as a bold business venture in the late 1960s has blossomed into one of the city’s most valuable international attractions.
The year was 1969. Little was located in the far north side of Houston, near what is now the City of Humble, when local authorities decided this would be the site of the city’s new international airport.
That year George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) opened its doors to the traveling public for the first time. A far cry from the IAH of today, the airport was then called Houston Intercontinental Airport and had only two terminals.
Not many would have imagined that the little airport in north Houston would grow up to dominate in the global aviation industry. As the years passed by, however, the increase of carriers and flights to the airport translated into new jobs and revenue for the local region.
What was once an isolated part of Houston began to transform into a thriving community of new neighborhoods and business developments. By 1981, such was the demand for Houston in the aviation industry that another terminal was added to the airport.
The next year, neighbors of IAH began to celebrate the contributions of the big airport to the local region. The Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce decided to begin a new tradition – they inaugurated the Airport Appreciation Day Festival in 1982.
Every year since then the festival has become a tradition for the neighboring communities in and around the airport.
“It’s important to remember what a great impact Bush Intercontinental has on the surrounding communities,” says Sandy Barton, marketing and special events director for the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce. “Without the airport, we wouldn’t have the amount of jobs that are available to us today.” |
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© Houston Airport System
Great fun for everyone will be on hand on June 16th during the 25th annual Airport Festival. |
Today, IAH supports over 118,000 local jobs and contributes more than $19 billion to the local economy.
These contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2005, the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce and the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce in celebrating IAH through the airport festival.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Bush Intercontinental Airport Appreciation Day Festival and the festivities will be spectacular. “IAH – Houston’s Silver Lining,” as the celebration is themed this year will feature live music, great food, static aircraft displays and numerous other activities for all the family to enjoy.
Scheduled for Saturday, June 16, 2007 the festival will take place, rain or shine, at the Continental Airlines 777 Hangar, Building E, located at 4849 Wright Road from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
The family event is an aviation enthusiast’s playground filled with fun and education for all ages. Admission is $10.00 in advance for adults, $15.00 at the gate and only $5.00 for children ages three to 12. The price of the ticket includes food, drinks and chance to win great prizes that will be given out hourly, including trips donated by airlines to destinations around the world.
Proceeds raised by the festival will go towards college scholarships for local students. For more information or to order event tickets, contact the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce at 281.440.4160.
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