Welcome toWilliam P. Hobby Airport

On any given day at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), a traveler’s first conversation in Houston happens before baggage claim with a smiling airport volunteer in a bright orange polo.On March 3, that exchange carries more weight. The date marks 100 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11. For Houston Airports, the countdown is logistical.More than 70 Volunteer Ambassadors who serve at IAH and HOU just completed the Houston First Corporation’s Houston Insider training in downtown Houston. Inside a conference room overlooking Discovery Green, volunteers walked through tournament schedules, transportation routes, cultural districts and the kinds of questions international visitors are likely to ask between matches.- How do I get to NRG Stadium from the airport?- What neighborhood should I explore before tomorrow’s game?- Is there a train downtown? The objective is straightforward: ensure ambassadors can answer more than “Where is baggage claim?”“We know our volunteers are often the first friendly face a visitor sees when they step off a plane,” said Ella Ghica, program manager of volunteer programs for Houston Airports. “By participating in Houston Insider training, they are not just offering directions to a gate. They are sharing the story of Houston. As we prepare to welcome the world for the World Cup, we want every ambassador to feel confident answering questions about our city’s culture, neighborhoods and signature experiences.”The training is one layer of a broader airport strategy tied directly to tournament traffic.Houston will host seven matches, compressing arrival and departure windows as fans fly in for a game and depart within 24 to 48 hours. Houston Airports is coordinating with regional transportation partners, reviewing curbside circulation plans and adjusting staffing to manage concentrated passenger banks tied to match schedules. Recent infrastructure investments were built for moments like this.At IAH, the Terminal D-West Concourse expanded international gate capacity and introduced upgraded seating, lighting and passenger amenities built for high-volume global travel. The new Terminal E Ticketing Lobby and Arrivals Hall improved circulation from curb to check-in, separating ticketing and international arrivals functions to reduce bottlenecks. At HOU, phased restroom renovations, enhanced wayfinding and terminal flow improvements strengthen its ability to handle peak demand without sacrificing service standards.Technology upgrades are also part of the preparation. Expanded Wi-Fi capability, interactive kiosks that mirror the Fly2Houston.com experience and an improved parking reservation system are designed to move passengers efficiently from curb to gate. Multilingual customer service support has been reinforced across terminals to accommodate a diverse international audience.Andrew Czobor, director of customer experience programs for Houston Airports, said volunteer training aligns with that operational groundwork.“The World Cup is not just a sporting event. It is a global stage,” Czobor said. “We are preparing our facilities, our signage, our technology and our people. Our Volunteer Ambassadors play a critical role in delivering Houston-friendly hospitality in a world-class, organized and functional environment. This training ensures they can confidently connect passengers to everything our city has to offer.”For passengers, the difference may feel subtle: clearer signage, smoother curbside flow, a volunteer who can explain METRO connections or recommend a museum before kickoff.For Houston Airports, it reflects its core purpose — to connect the people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world to Houston. In less than 100 days, the matches begin. Houston Airports is ready to welcome the world.

Houston didn’t just move people and goods in 2025. It strengthened its position in the global economy.With 2025 travel data now finalized, Houston Airports confirms 2025 as a year of international momentum, record-setting cargo performance and deliberate preparation for a summer when the world will arrive on Houston’s doorstep.Across George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Houston Airports served 62 million passengers in 2025, reinforcing the region’s role as one of North America’s most connected global gateways. International passenger traffic at Bush Airport reached record levels, with 12.4 million passengers, a 2.5% increase compared to 2024. Growth was driven by sustained international demand and an expanding route map that continues to connect Houston to key markets across Asia, Latin America, Canada and Europe.New and expanded service in 2025 included routes from ZIPAIR, Volaris, United Airlines, VivaAerobus, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Frontier Airlines. Together, those additions strengthened nonstop access to cities such as Tokyo, Monterrey, Edmonton, Gulf Shores, Wilmington, Portland, and New York–JFK, while deepening Houston’s ties across Mexico and Central America.That connectivity takes on added significance as Houston prepares to host the FIFA World Cup this summer. As one of 16 host cities across North America, Houston has aligned its air service strategy to support increased international travel, major global events and the economic activity that follows.Houston’s airports are economic drivers, connecting our region to global markets, supporting jobs across the economy and helping to keep Houston competitive on the world stage.Cargo operations were the clearest signal of that economic strength.Houston Airports handled 562,809 metric tons of air cargo, a 1.9% increase year over year and the highest total in the airport system’s history, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. December 2025 closed as the second-busiest cargo month ever, with 51,416 metric tons handled across IAH and HOU.Bush Airport processed 552,588 metric tons of cargo, fueled by strong international volumes from Europe—particularly the United Kingdom and Germany—as continued growth from Taiwan, Chile, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Malaysia. Long known as a hub for energy and industrial cargo, IAH has emerged as a critical distribution point for electronics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing supply chains.That momentum continued with the arrival of Cargolux Italia, which launched a weekly Boeing 747 freighter operation connecting Taipei, Anchorage, Houston, Milan and Luxembourg. Aircraft activity also climbed in 2025. Total landings at IAH and HOU reached 282,211, a 1.4% increase from the prior year, reflecting steady demand from passengers and cargo operations.As Houston Airports advances major capital projects and prepares for continued international growth—including new nonstop service to Rome in 2026—passengers are encouraged to plan ahead by using real-time tools, parking reservations and travel resources available at Fly2Houston.com.

In an industry where food, retail and hospitality shape the passenger journey long before wheels leave the runway, Houston Airports just raised the bar.At the 2026 Airport Experience Conference, the Houston Airports concessions program at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) earned two of the industry’s highest honors in the medium and small airport category:- Airport with the best overall concessions program — William P. Hobby Airport- Airport with the best commercial team — William P. Hobby AirportThe awards were announced Feb. 25 during the AX Awards ceremony in Nashville, where members of the Houston Airports Concessions team accepted the honors.The concessions program at Hobby Airport includes prime concession partners Areas, LaTrelle’s, Hudson (Avolta), HMSHost, Paradies Lagardère and Smarte Carte.The recognition affirms something passengers at HOU already feel: thoughtful planning, strong local partnerships and a commercial strategy built around experience.“This recognition belongs to our entire concessions team and our partners who show up every day committed to quality and hospitality,” said Francisco Cuellar, chief commercial development officer for Houston Airports. “At Hobby Airport, we’ve been intentional about creating a program that reflects Houston’s flavor, supports local businesses and elevates the passenger experience from curb to gate.”The wins reflect years of strategic redevelopment at HOU, where Houston Airports has focused on curating local brands, enhancing customer service standards and strengthening collaboration between airport leadership and concessionaires.Concessions partners also received national recognition:- Best bar experience — medium and small airports: The Rustic by LaTrelle’s at HOU- Best overall retailer — small operators: Cediel Concessions Management at IAHFor passengers, that translates into something tangible: authentic Texas hospitality, chef-driven menus, distinctive retail and an atmosphere that feels less like a layover and more like a welcome.The Airport Experience Conference brings together airport operators, brands and industry leaders from across North America to spotlight innovation in food, beverage and retail inside terminals. Awards are based on industry voting and peer recognition.As passenger traffic continues to grow and Houston prepares to welcome soccer fans from around the world, the concessions strategy remains clear: make passengers happy, invest in partnerships, and build platforms for future success.Travelers passing through HOU are encouraged to arrive early and explore the award-winning offerings.Common Bond Bistro and Bakery and Landry’s Seafood House will be the latest local favorites to open at HOU later this year.EXPLORE: Dining Options at HOUEXPLORE: Dining Options at IAH