Passenger traffic through the Houston Airport System (HAS) dipped 1.7% in March to 5.27 million passengers. Bush Intercontinental Airport showed a slight 0.1% decline, to 4.06 million passengers, while Hobby Airport showed a 7.2% decrease in traffic to 1.2 million passengers. The local decline is consistent with air travel trends at the state level, with TSA estimating a 1% decline in March for throughput in Texas overall.

The airport system ended Q1 at almost 14.2 million passengers, down 2% compared to the same period last year. YTD, domestic travel through both airports is down 2.3% to 11.1 million, while international passengers gained almost 1% to reach 3 million.

Air Traffic – In the Numbers

Domestic travel through Houston showed a 2.1% decline in March, accommodating approximately 4.1 million passengers. Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) showed a 0.2% dip in domestic travel, to just over 3 million passengers. Hobby Airport decreased 6.8% in domestic travel in March 2024, bringing approximately 1.1 million passengers. Southwest Airlines showed the most significant loss in domestic travel, losing 14% YOY – this decline maintains a trend Southwest has experienced so far this year. Conversely, Spirit Airlines continues to show gains, posting a 7.3% lift in total traffic in March. United Airlines maintains market share, making up approximately 54% of total domestic traffic through Houston airports and increasing marginally YOY, up 0.5%.

International travel declined by a slight 0.3% in March, accommodating approximately 1.1 million passengers. Consistent with trends in February, Hobby Airport is showing the largest percentage losses YOY, declining 12.7% in total international traffic and dipping under 100,000 travelers. IAH showed a 1 percentage point increase to just over 1 million passengers.

Mexico made up the largest share of international travelers, accounting for approximately 37.8% of total international traffic for about 424,000 passengers through HAS. However, this is a 4.3% decline in Mexico traffic compared to the same time last year. Canada accounted for just over 71,000 passengers in March, a 1.6% decrease.

See full stats here.

Written by Megan Henson

Pictured: Bush Intercontinental Airport