HOUSTON – Houston Airports is preparing for a record-breaking holiday travel season, expecting 3.4 million passengers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport from Dec. 19 to Jan. 6 — a 7% increase from last year.
Passenger projections:
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- Bush Airport: 2.7 million travelers (2 million domestic)
- Hobby Airport: 755,000 travelers (707,000 domestic)
Peak travel days:
- Dec. 19: 206,000 passengers
- Dec. 20: 207,000 passengers
- Dec. 22: 204,000 passengers
- Dec. 26: 205,000 passengers
- Dec. 29: 201,000 passengers
Better travel days:
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve): 149,000 passengers
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): 152,000 passengers
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve): 146,000 passengers
- Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day): 157,000 passengers
- Jan. 4: 156,000 passengers
New amenities and improvements
Travelers will benefit from traffic and parking upgrades, expanded customer service teams, new TSA equipment, and holiday-themed entertainment.
- Bush Airport: Opened a new International Arrivals Curb with six dedicated lanes to reduce congestion. Customer service teams in Terminals A and D have doubled to 70 employees wearing new uniforms for easy recognition.
- Hobby Airport: Modernized TSA screening with advanced equipment allowing liquids and laptops to remain in carry-ons. New information kiosks provide navigation assistance.
“The holiday season is one of the most important times of year for travelers, and Houston Airports is delivering a premiere experience that puts passengers first,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “We’re focused on streamlining traffic, enhancing amenities, and providing Houston-friendly hospitality at every touchpoint.”
United Airlines anticipates surge
United Airlines expects a surge in holiday travel demand at its Houston hub. With over 500 daily flights from Bush Airport, United projects more than 9.9 million travelers across its network, marking a 12% increase from last year. Popular international destinations include Cancun, Mexico City, and Costa Rica.
Travel tips:
- Reserve parking online at fly2houston.com/parking
- Arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights
- Use cellphone lots when picking up passengers
- Register for TSA PreCheck at the facility in Terminal C at IAH