Mayor Whitmire, City Council approve airport-funded $129.9 million investment in IAH

Sep 2, 2026

Initial funding advances a seven-project, $229.9 million program to strengthen resilience, improve access and support continued growth without local tax dollars.

HOUSTON — Mayor John Whitmire and Houston City Council today approved $129.9 million in initial airport system funding for seven infrastructure projects at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and authorized an agreement with United Airlines to deliver the work. The program totals $229.9 million. No City General Fund dollars or local tax revenue will be used.

The projects will improve parking, stormwater systems, utilities and access, benefiting passengers, airlines and airport partners. The program is separate from the Terminal B Transformation.

IAH welcomed more than 48 million passengers in 2025, including a record 12.4 million international travelers, up 2.5% from 2024.

International demand and an expanding route map connecting Houston with Asia, Latin America, Canada and Europe underscore the need for infrastructure that can support future demand.

“This is a proactive investment in shared infrastructure that supports the entire airport,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “The projects will help preserve parking for travelers, improve severe-weather resilience and ensure IAH has the capacity to serve airlines, employees and passengers as Houston’s global gateway continues to grow.”

The seven projects will:

• Add aircraft holding and parking capacity: Build a concrete pad near the IAH East Cargo Complex with nine holding positions or 14 overnight parking positions for narrowbody aircraft, improving flexibility during severe weather and other disruptions.
• Create dedicated employee parking: Build an 8,100-space off-site parking lot for United and other airport employees, creating more public parking for travelers. The project also includes a 3,000-square-foot administration building and funding for canopies at ecopark for added protection.
• Expand stormwater capacity: Expand detention basins at Reinhardt Bayou, Garners Bayou and Turkey Creek and improve drainage, severe-weather resilience and support for planned development.
• Improve access to the Terminal A/B Garage: Double the number of entrance lanes from 2 to 4, cover the additional lanes with a canopy, and integrate parking access equipment.
• Improve water infrastructure: Improve the North Terminal Road water line.
• Expand airfield access: Expand existing airfield entry checkpoints to increase capacity and in support of larger equipment.
• Repair the Terminal C pedestrian bridge: Make cosmetic, nonstructural repairs to vehicle-impact damage on the bridge that travelers use between the parking garage and Terminal C.

The initial appropriation includes $100 million from the Airport System Consolidated 2011 Construction Fund and $29.907 million from the Airports Improvement Fund. Houston Airports expects to request the remaining $100 million in fiscal year 2028.

Under the agreement, United will manage development and construction. Houston Airports will reimburse approved project costs from airport system funds and recover those costs through rates and charges paid by airlines and other airport users, including United.

Design and construction are expected over the next three years.