According to the most recent traffic statistics for the first six months of the year — January to June 2016 — overall commercial passenger traffic at Houston Airports increased 1.3 percent over the same time period last year — from 26,647,507 in 2015 to 27,006,392 in 2016

While total passenger traffic at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is down a slight 1 percent, international passenger totals are up 5.5 percent through the first half of 2016 over the same time period last year — from 5,127,422 in 2015 to 5,411,643 in 2016. That is a greater pace than in 2015, when IAH saw a record number 10.7 million international passengers. At its current rate, IAH could see nearly 11 million international passengers in 2017.

The record-setting passenger trend continues at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). For the fifth consecutive year, passenger traffic at Hobby Airport has reached all-time highs. Domestic passenger totals at Hobby Airport are up 9.8 percent for the first six months of the year — from 5,744,935 in 2015 to 6,308,124 in 2016. A factor of that growth is the new international air service that launched in October 2015 when Southwest Airlines began nonstop flights to Latin America and the Caribbean. Hobby Airport welcomed 378,122 international passengers for the six months of 2016.  In the coming years, the addition of international service is expected to eventually add 1 million passengers per year to Hobby Airport.

To accommodate this growth, the Houston Airport System will bring a number of improvements at both commercial airports to enhance the passenger experience including a new website that launched earlier this year focused on the complete passenger journey — from getting to the airport to getting to the gate for a flight. In addition, plans are underway for a new Mickey Leland International Terminal at IAH to better accommodate international flights and the large body Group VI aircraft like the Airbus A380.

To see the full June report, please click here.