INSIDER
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston unveils Terminal D-West Pier expansion
Read full article: George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston unveils Terminal D-West Pier expansionThe 160,000-square-foot expansion adds six new gates and state-of-the-art amenities, all part of a $1.458 billion redevelopment aimed at making Houston a global leader in international travel.
City cleans dumping site in South Park neighborhood after KPRC 2 steps in
Read full article: City cleans dumping site in South Park neighborhood after KPRC 2 steps inResidents had been battling the eyesore for months, reaching out to the city through 311, but had seen little to no action until KPRC 2 intervened.
‘Exceptional landing’: Pilot experiencing landing gear issues makes successful emergency landing at Conroe airport
Read full article: ‘Exceptional landing’: Pilot experiencing landing gear issues makes successful emergency landing at Conroe airportThe plane made the landing at the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport at 11:49 a.m. Wednesday.
***DON’T USE ME:* Engine cover rips off Southwest Airlines jet bound for Houston, forcing the flight to return to Denver
Read full article: ***DON’T USE ME:* Engine cover rips off Southwest Airlines jet bound for Houston, forcing the flight to return to DenverThe Federal Aviation Administration says a Southwest Airlines jet leaving Denver was forced to land after the engine cover fell off and struck the wing flap during takeoff.
5 things to do while you’re stuck at the airport waiting for a new flight
Read full article: 5 things to do while you’re stuck at the airport waiting for a new flightJust ask anyone who has traveled in the past few weeks and they will tell you that having your flight changed, canceled or redirected is becoming more and more common these days.
Behind the scenes at Bush airport during one of the busiest travel days of the year
Read full article: Behind the scenes at Bush airport during one of the busiest travel days of the yearOn the next Houston Life, we’re getting you ready for the holidays. Monday is one of the busiest travel days of the year. We’re giving you an exclusive behind the scenes look at the airport. How the planes are prepped, plus the new technology - like artificial intelligence- used to get your bags to the correction destination. Coming fly away with us, Monday at 1:00 p.m. on Houston Life!
Young gymnast has chance encounter with one of her role models at the airport, Simone Biles
Read full article: Young gymnast has chance encounter with one of her role models at the airport, Simone BilesEarlier today we found another reason why Simone is such an inspiration, when young a gymnast had a chance run-in with one of her role models.
Russian diplomats to depart Bulgaria amid soaring tensions
Read full article: Russian diplomats to depart Bulgaria amid soaring tensionsA Russian diplomat says two airplanes are set to depart Bulgaria with scores of Russian diplomatic staff and their families amid a mass expulsion that has sent relations soaring between the two historically close nations.
Houston councilmember responds to traffic, bathroom concerns at Bush Intercontinental Airport
Read full article: Houston councilmember responds to traffic, bathroom concerns at Bush Intercontinental AirportNot only are there long times outside of Terminal E, but there are no bathrooms inside the waiting area at Terminal E pick up.
Construction continues to lead to chaos at Bush Intercontinental Airport, but travelers could soon see some relief
Read full article: Construction continues to lead to chaos at Bush Intercontinental Airport, but travelers could soon see some reliefAirport officials warn peak travel times are from Thursday through Sunday between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Holiday travel: Experts say plan now for busy Thanksgiving travel
Read full article: Holiday travel: Experts say plan now for busy Thanksgiving travelFort Worth-based American Airlines has canceled thousands of flights since Friday. And while the airline is getting back to normal for now, it’s the second time in the past few weeks that we’ve seen a major airline knocked offline by weather or other factors.
Billion-dollar budget for new international terminal at Bush Intercontinental Airport rising again
Read full article: Billion-dollar budget for new international terminal at Bush Intercontinental Airport rising againIn June 2014, the Houston Airport System announced the construction of a new Mickey Leland International Terminal at Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Bush airport named TSA’s 2020 Airport of the Year for the second consecutive year
Read full article: Bush airport named TSA’s 2020 Airport of the Year for the second consecutive yearHOUSTON – George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston is the 2020 Airport of the Year, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The TSA team in Houston consists of more than 1,100 employees, which includes TSA officers, inspectors, canine handlers, explosives experts, managers and program analysts. The award recognizes team achievements in key operations and mission support functions, such as measurable improvements, superior performance, notable innovation and significant operational improvements in support of TSA’s mission. “We are honored to be named TSA’s 2020 Airport of the year,” Houston Airports Director Mario Diaz said. “On behalf of the entire team at Bush Airport and the traveling public, I also congratulate the George Bush Intercontinental Airport TSA team for their invaluable commitment to safety and efficiency throughout this challenging year.
Houston airports suffering amid less holiday travel and COVID-19
Read full article: Houston airports suffering amid less holiday travel and COVID-19HOUSTON – Holiday weekend travel at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport is down dramatically from past years. “This is going to be our peak of number of passengers since April,” said Houston Airport System spokesperson Augusto Bernal. However, TSA data shows only 87,000 passengers traveled by plane on April 14. As of this morning, the airport system showed 60% of parking available at both major airports. “Unfortunately a lot has been shut down, a lot has been closed,” said Rob Wigington, the Executive Director of Airport Restaurant and Retail Association.
New Berlin airport opens 9 years late with little ceremony
Read full article: New Berlin airport opens 9 years late with little ceremonyBerlin's new airport opens after years of delays and cost overruns. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)BERLIN – Nine years late and far above its original budget, Berlin's new airport finally opened on Saturday with little fanfare as the aviation industry struggles with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Construction of the Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt, named after the former West German chancellor though better known as BER, started in 2006 and it was initially slated to open in October 2011. “Finally we can put our airport into operation — finally,” airport CEO Engelbert Luetke Daldrup said at a brief opening ceremony with national and regional officials. The opening of the new airport's Terminal 2 has been delayed until early next year because it isn't currently needed.
San Antonio ordered to lift ban on Chick-fil-A at international airport
Read full article: San Antonio ordered to lift ban on Chick-fil-A at international airportSAN ANTONIO – The City of San Antonio has been ordered to lift the ban on Chick-fil-A at the city’s international airport. The order comes after the city council banned the restaurant from the airport with a 6-4 council vote. An investigation into the city’s potential violation of federal law and Transportation Department regulations went into effect when the city was suspected of banning Chick-fil-A from operating a restaurant in the San Antonio International Airport based on the company’s religious beliefs. The Federal Aviation Administration announced that San Antonio International Airport will offer Chick-fil-A a lease opportunity for space in Terminal A. "To exclude a respected vendor based on religious beliefs is the opposite of tolerance and is inconsistent with the Constitution, Texas law, and Texas values.
Person hit and killed by Southwest airplane on runway in Austin, airport says
Read full article: Person hit and killed by Southwest airplane on runway in Austin, airport saysHOUSTON – A person was struck and killed by a Southwest airplane Thursday night on a runway at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, according to the airport. “AUS is aware of an individual that was struck and killed on runway 17R by a landing aircraft earlier this evening,” the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport wrote on Twitter. “Reported person possibly struck by an airplane o a runway. Multiple assets responding 3600 Presidential Blvd (20:22) Reported person possibly struck by an airplane on a runway. — ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) May 8, 2020
Airports face financial impact from coronavirus pandemic
Read full article: Airports face financial impact from coronavirus pandemicJust two months ago, the Houston Airport System touted a record year with 59 million passengers moving through George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport in 2019. Airport operations rely on passenger facility charges, better known as a PFC. Every time a Houston-area passenger books a flight through one of the Houston airports, $4.50 of the ticket price goes back to the airport system. “Let me say the airport system has done a pretty good job establishing a meaningful reserve, I believe it’s $500 million,” Turner said. On March 17, KPRC 2 was provided with an email from a high ranking city official showing numerous airport projects were being deferred or canceled.
This is how big venues, airports in Houston are protecting against spread of coronavirus
Read full article: This is how big venues, airports in Houston are protecting against spread of coronavirusHOUSTON – A number of large venues across Houston from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport to the Toyota Center are taking steps to combat the coronavirus. “We know a lot of people travel through our airports, so we really want to emphasize our message, and just to do our part,” said Houston Airport System spokesperson Augusto Bernal. There are eight total coronavirus cases in the Houston area — three confirmed cases and five presumptive positive cases. Here is the official statement from the Toyota Center:The Houston Rockets and Toyota Center have implemented preventive measures recommended by the NBA and local and national healthcare professionals. Toyota Center has enhanced the cleaning and disinfection process of the facility between events.
TSA: IAH among top 5 airports where most guns found in 2019
Read full article: TSA: IAH among top 5 airports where most guns found in 2019HOUSTON – George Bush Intercontinental Airport is among the top five airports where Transportation Security Administration officers found the most guns in 2019. IAH officers detected 138 guns in carry-on bags or on passengers last year, authorities announced Wednesday. NEWS: TSA officers caught more firearms at checkpoints nationwide in 2019 than ever before in the agency’s 18-year history. Read the full press release: https://t.co/n3Zqyfpcnx pic.twitter.com/Qejm69lzwy — TSA (@TSA) January 15, 2020The IAH information was part of a news release that also announced that TSA officers found more firearms at checkpoints nationwide in 2019 than ever before in the agency’s 18-year history. The top five airports where TSA officers detected guns at checkpoints in 2019 were:1.
CDC to screen at three US airports for signs of new deadly virus from China
Read full article: CDC to screen at three US airports for signs of new deadly virus from ChinaWUHAN, China – More than 100 staffers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are being deployed to three US airports to check passengers arriving from Wuhan, China, for fever and other symptoms of a mysterious new virus that's killed two and infected dozens in China, the CDC announced Friday. The CDC took these steps after travelers from Wuhan recently arrived in Thailand and Japan infected with the new virus. He added that much more common illnesses, such as the flu, are "much bigger threats" to Americans than the new virus from China. To learn more about this new virus, health authorities are taking a close look at SARS. SARS did spread person to person through close contact such as kissing, sharing utensils or talking to someone within 3 feet.
Hobby Airport beats out Bush Intercontinental Airport for domestic travel to Houston, report finds
Read full article: Hobby Airport beats out Bush Intercontinental Airport for domestic travel to Houston, report finds1, while the San Antonio International Airport came in at No. Ontario International Airport - Ontario, California8. Sacramento International Airport - Sacramento, California9. San Antonio International Airport - San Antonio, Texas10. Portland International Airport - Portland, OregonClick here to view the full report and methodology.