HOUSTON- Houston Airports was awarded the 2024 Best Airport Art & Entertainment Program at the World Airport Awards hosted by Skytrax, a premier international air transport rating organization. 

Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, accepted the award on behalf of Houston Airports on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, during the Passenger Terminal Expo in Frankfurt, Germany. 

"Houston Airports is dedicated to creating a 5-Star global air service gateway that celebrates the magic of flight. We carefully invest in and curate art that reflects our city and the diverse global community we serve," said Szczesniak. "It's an honor to know that our unique arts program resonates with our passengers and the thoughtful ways we delight and entertain create positive and lasting memories. The arts have a special power, and with creativity and innovation, Houston Airports continues to elevate the airport arts experience to new heights.”

The win is historic for Houston Airports. In 2023, Skytrax created a new awards category devoted to airport arts programs. Houston Airports was the first-ever recipient. The 2024 award marks the second consecutive year Houston Airports has received top honors at the World Airport Awards for having the best airport arts program in the world. 

“We congratulate Houston Airports for its maintained success in providing passengers with the World’s Best Art and Entertainment program offered at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU),” said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax. “The entire Houston Airports team should be proud of this fantastic recognition from passengers.”

Houston Airports boasts one of the aviation industry's largest civic art collections, overseen by Curator of Public Art, Alton DuLaney. The 350-piece collection is set to grow with the addition of 12 commissioned pieces for the new IAH international terminal. Houston Airports employs more than 75 local professional musicians through its performing arts program, Harmony in the Air. Maricela Kruseman serves as Program Director of Harmony in the Air. Passengers at Bush and Hobby airports enjoy live performances, making Harmony in the Air a beloved amenity that is often praised on customer comment cards. In 2023, Houston's airports welcomed over 60.1 million passengers. 

"Every passenger deserves exceptional experiences at Houston's airports. Maintaining the gold standard of customer service, our airports embody Houston-friendly hospitality,” said Liliana Rambo, Chief Terminal Management and Administration Officer for Houston Airports. “Houston serves as a global gateway. As Art City, not only do we showcase our diversity and creative spirit, but we also understand art's profound impact, offering world-class entertainment that embraces cultures. This accolade reaffirms Houston’s global position and the transformative power of art in creating lasting memories."

Houston Airports continues to invest in art in concert with the City of Houston and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA). 

• In 2020, Houston Airports called for the commission of 10 major permanent works.
• In 2021, Houston Airports made its largest one-time art acquisition of 74 works of art by Texas artists.  
• In 2022, Houston Airports began an Artist-in-Residence program.
• In 2022, Houston Airports expanded its Harmony in the Air program to IAH Terminal C. 
• In 2023, Houston Airports launched H.A.W.T. a Healthy Art Walking Tour.
• In 2023, Houston Airports launched its Airport Art Ambassador program.
• In 2023, Houston Airports expanded its Harmony in the Air program to IAH Terminal E.
• In 2024, Houston Airports began collaborating with the Orange Show to showcase Art Cars, FotoFest and the UH Center for Mexican American & Latino Studies. 

In addition to winning World's Best Art in the Airport, Houston Airports is also maintaining its 5-Star Skytrax rating at Hobby Airport for a third consecutive year and a 4-Star Skytrax rating at Bush Airport for a seventh consecutive year. For a third straight year, passengers voted Hobby Airport the Best Regional Airport in North America. Read full press release here. 

About Houston Airports
| Houston Airports is the City of Houston’s Department of Aviation. Comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, IAH, William P. Hobby Airport, HOU, and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport, EFD, Houston Airports served 60.1 million passengers in 2023. Houston Airports positions Houston as the international passenger and cargo gateway to the South-Central United States and as a primary gateway to Latin America. 

Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs | The City of Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, MOCA, guides the City's cultural investments with policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors and leverage private investment. Learn more at www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs.