Houston Airports unveils six major developments to improve travel, expand opportunity

Nov 4, 2026

At the 2026 State of the Airports, Jim Szczesniak announces new opportunities for local businesses, faster international processing and passenger improvements coming to Bush and Hobby.

HOUSTON — Houston Airports plans to launch a new insurance program as early as January 2027 designed to lower a significant cost barrier for qualified small businesses competing for airport work.

Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak announced the program today as one of six major developments during the Greater Houston Partnership’s sold-out 2026 State of the Airports at the Hilton Americas-Houston.

The announcements also include 183 additional acres for cargo development at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), new amenities for drivers picking up passengers, pharmaceutical cargo certification, the completion date for seven new gates at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and new technology designed to make international arrivals faster for Global Entry members.

The initiatives advance Mayor John Whitmire’s priorities for Houston Airports: improving the passenger experience, strengthening infrastructure and creating more opportunities for Houston businesses.

“Houston doesn’t stand still, and neither can its airports,” said Szczesniak. “We’re investing in the passenger experience while creating more opportunities for Houston businesses to grow with us. That means better airports for the people who use them and more economic opportunity for the city we serve.”

Six announcements for Houston

1. Lower insurance costs could open airport work to more small businesses Some qualified businesses have the people and expertise to work at Houston’s airports but face costly insurance requirements before their vehicles can operate on the airfield.

At Mayor Whitmire’s direction, Houston Airports is developing AirsideDrive, an airport-specific excess auto liability program designed to make that required coverage more affordable.

The program would provide $9 million in excess liability coverage above a company’s required $1 million underlying coverage while authorized vehicles operate inside the airport’s Air Operations Area.

The model has produced insurance savings of up to 70% for participating businesses at Denver International Airport, where the program originated. Houston Airports hopes to begin offering AirsideDrive in January 2027.

Safety standards would not change, and businesses would still have to earn airport contracts.

2. Hobby’s seven-gate expansion is on track for early 2027 Travelers at Hobby Airport will have seven more gates, a new baggage system and a covered walk between the parking garage and terminal when the West Concourse expansion is completed.

The nearly $500 million project, developed with Southwest Airlines, remains on schedule for phased completion beginning in the first quarter of 2027.

3. Bush Airport plans 183-acre East Cargo expansion Houston Airports plans to expand the East Cargo area at Bush Airport by 183 acres, growing the cargo development area from about 100 acres to approximately 283 acres.

Future tenants could build warehouses, parking and other facilities based on their operational needs. The expansion would provide additional room to support Houston’s energy, aerospace, biotechnology and logistics industries. Houston Airports expects to seek development proposals in early 2027.

4. Bush Airport cargo handler earns certification for sensitive medicines A shipment leaving Houston can carry years of medical research — or medicine a patient is waiting for.

Cargo handler dnata Cargo USA has earned the International Air Transport Association’s CEIV Pharma certification for its pharmaceutical-handling operations at Bush Airport.

The certification recognizes dnata’s specialized handling of shipments that must stay at controlled temperatures. Its facilities at the existing East Cargo complex help protect products during storage and handling before they reach the aircraft, giving Houston’s drugmakers and researchers a certified local partner for international shipping.

5. Fuel, food and restrooms planned for Bush Airport pickups Houstonians picking up family and friends at Bush Airport would have a place to refuel, grab a bite and use a restroom under plans to redevelop the cell-phone waiting area along John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

The proposed development would include a redesigned waiting area, fuel station, electric vehicle chargers, convenience store, public restrooms and quick-service restaurants, giving drivers more options while they wait for arriving passengers.

6. Faster Global Entry processing coming to Bush Airport U.S. Customs and Border Protection has confirmed that Bush Airport will be among eight airports receiving Global Entry Walk-Through technology in December.

The technology is designed to allow eligible Global Entry members to continue walking through the processing area while cameras use facial comparison to verify their identities, rather than requiring a traditional stop at a kiosk.

CBP is currently piloting the technology. The agency already uses facial comparison as part of Global Entry processing to reduce steps and processing time for enrolled travelers.

For eligible international travelers arriving in Houston, the expansion is designed to make an already expedited customs process even more seamless.

Building on a record year

Houston Airports enters its next phase after a year of major milestones:

• 22 new gates opened as part of the Terminal B transformation at IAH.
• 598,139 metric tons of cargo moved through IAH and HOU, a FY2026 record and a 7.2% year-over-year increase.
• 4.6 million passengers traveled through IAH and HOU during the 2026 FIFA World Cup travel period.
• $90 million in restroom improvements are underway across IAH and HOU.
• More convenient parking includes online reservations, cashless technology and improved garage wayfinding.
• More Houston flavor is now available at IAH Terminal B, with Rosie Cannonball, B&B Butchers, and Blood Brothers Barbecue.

Houston Airports supports more than 200,000 local jobs and generates approximately $40 billion in annual economic activity.

Planning for Houston’s next generation

Szczesniak also outlined the airport system’s work on a 20-year master plan focused on future airfield capacity, terminal growth, roadway access and infrastructure to support Houston’s economy.

After the address, he joined Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO Steve Kean for a discussion about investment, global connectivity and how local businesses can help shape the airport system’s future.