Houston City Council this week approved $129.9 million in initial funding for seven infrastructure projects at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The measure also authorized United Airlines to handle the work, which together with subsequent phases will total just under $230 million.
Importantly, no City of Houston general fund dollars are being used for the project that will include improvements to parking, stormwater systems, utilities and access.
IAH welcomed more than 48 million passengers in 2025, including a record 12.4 million international travelers, up 2.5% from 2024. Together with Hobby Airport, the Houston Airport System as a whole handled roughly 62 million passengers last year.
The initial appropriation includes $100 million from the Airport System Consolidated 2011 Construction Fund and $29.9 million from the Airports Improvement Fund. The airport system 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.
Airport officials say international demand and expanding routes connecting Houston with Asia, Latin America, Canada and Europe support 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 include:
• Additional 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.
• New dedicated employee parking: Build an 8,100-space off-site parking lot for United and other airport employees, creating more public parking for travelers.
• Expanded stormwater capacity: Expand detention basins at Reinhardt Bayou, Garners Bayou and Turkey Creek and improve drainage and support for planned development.
• Increased 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.
• Improving water infrastructure: Improve the North Terminal Road water line.
• New airfield access: Expand existing airfield entry checkpoints to increase capacity and 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 program is separate from the Terminal B Transformation. Design and construction are expected over the next three years.
Pictured: terminal at IAH
