» HAS Newsroom
Houston Airport System
January 15, 2008
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Poised for another year of record-setting traffic figures, the Houston Airport System (HAS) is continuing its tradition of working with private and government agencies to make sure air travel in Houston remains as stress-free as possible.
Most recently - during the busy holiday travel season - officials at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby airports worked closely with federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to get the word out about travel recommendations.
More than 3.5 million passengers traveled through Houston’s airports during the 28 day Christmas and New Year’s holiday season.
During that period the TSA implemented the SimpliFly travel initiative across the nation. Under this program travelers were advised about how to prepare for airport security checkpoint screenings as part of a series of recommendations disseminated by the federal agency. Some of the suggestions included layering items in luggage for better organization, having boarding passes and identification ready at the checkpoints, removing shoes and other items of clothing, as well as learning more about the 3-1-1 liquids and gels policy.
In Houston, the airport system partnered with the TSA to put together a public awareness campaign that included print, web, broadcast, radio and alternative media coverage about the SimpliFly initiative. Airport employees were also on hand at all of the terminal buildings to answer questions and provide information.
“Traveling during the holiday season is different from traveling during other times of the year, especially during Christmas and New Year’s. People are bringing gifts with them; traveling with their entire families; going through an airport for the first time. So you really have to make sure they know what to expect when they get to the airport,” explains Richard Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System. “Any amount of time we can shave off of the security check-in process is an improvement.”
Decreasing the amount of processing time for international travelers at the Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility at IAH is also a high priority for HAS. Under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Model Port initiative, the airport has partnered with the Walt Disney Company to bring their new Portraits of America video to the airport. |
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Travelers On The Go. The Houston Airport System works closely with federal and private agencies to improve the air travel experience. |
This seven minute video highlight’s the nation’s most celebrated attractions and cultures. It is broadcast at the FIS, in an effort to familiarize international travelers with the diversity, freedom and attractions that make the United States a more popular destination. This facility is the largest of its kind in the nation and can process up to 4,500 international passengers per hour.
Model Port materials about the customs process are disseminated in multiple languages at the FIS. In addition, the airport’s public safety personnel and their multilingual customer service staff are on hand at the facility to provide assistance and information.
“If a passenger needs to be escorted to a secondary screening area, our public safety personnel can take care of this,” says Frank Haley, interim deputy director of public safety and technology for HAS. “The customs agent can stay in their booth and process the next passenger. It expedites the process and makes it more efficient.”
Customs and Border Protection and the Houston Airport System meet regularly to discuss the progress of the Model Port initiative and to explore new methods of better serving the public, Haley adds.
When the federal departments of homeland security and state approved the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, last year, airport officials in Houston quickly began working on a plan to get the word out. Through the media, HAS launched another public awareness campaign.
Under this new regulation, United States citizens traveling by air to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean are now required to present a valid passport upon exiting or reentering the country.
“Streamlining the process of air travel is often about just getting the information out there,” notes Vacar. “Let people know what the rules are and how best to follow them. Travelers are very savvy these days and they can figure out the rest.”
For more information about current travel initiatives and regulations please Click Here.
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