August 2007 Newsletter

Houston’s airports get an A+ in financial accountability When it comes to promising futures, it seems Houston’s airports definitely have one. At least that's what the nation’s top credit rating institutions are saying after having reviewed the Houston Airport System’s (HAS) current economic standing. According to three reports, released last month, from Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service HAS received top-honors for its current financial standing. These three agencies are among a select group of statistical rating organizations that are nationally recognized by the United States’ Securities and Exchange Commission. Read Story

Watch the latest episode of Houston Airports Today
In English or Spanish, we're always online! Join us for a taste of Texas as we highlight the sweet relationship between, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Federal Express and George Bush International Airport. We’ll bring you up to date on the newest safety device now deployed at both Bush and Hobby. We’re the first in the world to use the system. We’ll tell you about the signs popping up all over Bush Airport and see who’s playing our song in the terminals. Houston Airports Today is now also available in Spanish! It’s all at your fingertips on our website www.fly2houston.com, or you can catch it every Saturday morning on Channel 55 at 9 a.m. and on the Houston Municipal Channel Wednesday’s at 7a.m., 1p.m and 7p.m. Watch the Latest Episode

Six months into the New Year and still soaring
Halfway through 2007, the Houston Airport System has already served 26 million passengers. A good many of those travelers were en route to international destinations, according to the latest traffic figures for the month of June. Also in high-demand were cargo flights to global regions such as Asia, Africa and Australia combined, and Canada. Total international air cargo traffic increased by 13 percent during the month of June 2007, in comparison to the same timeframe in 2007. Read Story

Houston Airport System simplifies parking rates at airports
Effective Thursday, August 30, 2007 the Houston Airport System will change the parking rate structure at George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports. The new rate structure simplifies, slightly increases and holds the line on various airport parking rates. As passenger traffic increases at both airports, terminal parking demand has also risen, at times affecting parking availability in the garages. The $2.00 rate change for 5-24 hours of terminal garage parking should alleviate some of the congestion. Read Story

HAS invites local business owners to take advantage of big opportunities - don't miss out!
Dozens of top tier businesses and airport representatives are set to help those interested understand the rules of engagement for doing business with the Houston Airport System. Call it mentoring, lending a helping hand or just plain good business development, representatives from dozens of brand name businesses are scheduled to participate in the second annual Business Opportunity Networking Fair hosted by HAS. Read Story 

Lampson and White announce $20.5 million Hobby Airport grant 
Congressman Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Houston Mayor Bill White jointly announced a $20,540,181 U.S. Department of Transportation grant for William P. Hobby Airport. These funds will have multiple applications, including acquisition of new land for approaches, funding for safety measures and equipment, the reconstruction of a deteriorated runway, reimbursement costs for taxiway lighting, and conducting an environmental study to address capacity issues at the airport. Read Story

For $50 you could fly away in your own plane
If you’ve ever fantasized about an alternate mode of transportation while fueling at the pump, the 1940 Air Terminal Museum in Houston is offering a unique alternative to bumper to bumper traffic. For roughly the cost of topping-off most sport utility vehicles at the gas station the museum is offering the chance to win a 1947 Cessna 140 aircraft. This well polished silver and red aluminum two-seater may not reduce your costs at the pump, but it will definitely provide a little variety in your transportation. Read Story

Houston’s pride
What is now Houston’s oldest airport was launched in 1917 when it was commissioned as the nation’s premiere military aviation training facility. Since then the joint-use civil/military airport has been the site of many firsts. In 1942, the first female airplane mechanics began work at Ellington. In 1943, the airport made room for the first-ever child day-care facility opened on a military post. It offered the first aerial ambulance of any military airfield in the nation and it was the location where the first class of Women Air Force Service Pilots received their Silver Wings in 1943. Read Story 

What would you say are the top five most frequently asked questions in the airports' terminals? 
The Volunteer Initiative Program, which is intended to enhance community involvement, improve customer relations and create a more customer friendly environment in the airports, is in search of a few good volunteers. Participants should be healthy enough to explore the miles of walking space and businesses available to travelers inside of the airports. Their main duties are to staff the various information booths which operate 16 hours a day and are located throughout the five airport terminals. Read Story

Rob Wigington is new deputy director at HAS 
After a nationwide search, the Houston Airport System appointed Rob Wigington as deputy director of Marketing, Communications and Community Affairs. He is responsible for worldwide air service development, media relations, international relations, advertising and community affairs. Previously, Mr. Wigington served as the Director of Marketing and Route Service Development for the San Diego International Airport. Read Story

Celebrating a safe return home 
In an instant, the mood went from gloomy to down right joyful. Despite the puddles of water and constant rain, when the more than 800 members of the US Armed Forces personnel started making their way to the Texas Air National Guard's flight line at Ellington Field, this past Sunday, the crowd could not contain their emotions. Tears ran down the face of many as some could just be heard giving thinks for having their loved ones safe at home once again. The 300 members of the Texas Air National Guard and the more than 500 US 75th Battle Command Training Division soldiers were being honored for their recent deployments into the Middle East. Read Story

    For more of the latest news about Houston's three main airports, please Click Here to visit our online newsroom.

George Bush Intercontinental - William P. Hobby - Ellington Field

www.fly2houston.com

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Director          Richard Vacar
Editor       Richard Fernandez
Writers:        Juan Alanis 
                          Marlene McClinton
                         Melissa Delgado  

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