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Passenger traffic at Houston’s airports rapidly growing: IAH is now the 9th busiest airport in the nation
March 24, 2006

According to the latest 2005 traffic figures released by Airports Council International (ACI) Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is now the nation’s 9th busiest airport in the number of passengers served annually.

Last year, the 7th largest international gateway in the United States - combined with Hobby Airport - served a record 48 million passengers. This marked a year-over-year increase of 4 million passengers (from 2004 to 2005) for the Houston Airport System.

“Passenger traffic at IAH is growing at an extraordinary rate and is very close to exceeding our most hopeful expectations,” said Rick Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System. “With the completion of our latest capital improvement program and the introduction of our new master plan, our airports will stay ready for future growth.”

According to the same statistics, William P. Hobby Airport is the 40th busiest airport in the nation, having served more than 8.2 million passengers in 2005. Previously Hobby Airport ranked as the 48th busiest airport in the U.S.

In the cargo arena, Bush Intercontinental is the 16th most active airport in the country for total air cargo and moved more than 347,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2005. The international airport also ranks 6th in the world for the most number of total aircraft movements.

Conservative estimates indicate that by 2025, more than 80 million passengers per year will be traveling through Houston’s airports.

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The Houston Airport System served 48 million passengers in 2005. It is the 4th-largest multi-airport system in the U.S. and the 6th-largest in the world. Bush Intercontinental is the nation’s 9th-busiest airport and is rated 1st in the U.S. for on time performance. For more information visit our website at www.fly2houston.com .

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