In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl's punishing blow to Houston, Houston Airports has resumed operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) as of 4 p.m. Monday, July 8. Houston Airports worked with its 28 airline partners to fully resume summer flight schedules by Wednesday, July 10. 

While this is a positive step for the city's travel industry during what’s expected to be a record-shattering summer for Houston Airports, the airport system has shifted its attention to its workforce of 1,200 employees, many of whom are grappling with the storm's lingering effects, including widespread power outages.

“In the midst of so much devastation, I’ve witnessed your dedication. Thank you,” said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports in an email to employees on Tuesday. “Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. The ability to quickly resume operations plays a crucial role in our city's recovery, providing a vital lifeline for incoming aid and outgoing resources. It also offers a sense of normalcy and hope to our community as we begin to recover and rebuild.”

Monday’s deadly Category 1 hurricane caused widespread power outages and damage across the region. At the peak of the outages, more than 2.2 million people in the Houston area were without power. As of 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, more than 1 million residents, including many Houston Airports employees, continue to be without electricity.

Because of significant power outages, limited cell service, and widespread cleanup across Houston, some airport employees are unable to make it to work. It’s critical that the public understands that airport workers were also impacted by the hurricane. 

RELATED | Houston Airports asks for patience as operations resume with limited personnel

Recognizing the continued hardships faced by its workforce, on Wednesday, July 10, Houston Airports activated the Department Operations Center (DOC) located at Bush Airport The DOC will spearhead the distribution of resources and support for employees.

New Employee Support Measures

• Meals: For all on-duty employees at both airports. 
• Charging Stations: Dedicated phone and device charging stations are at meal distribution points.
• Kitchen Access: Houston Airports is opening all kitchens to employees for personal meal preparation.
• Shower Facilities are available to all employees.

Additional Resources

Houston Airports is partnering with the City of Houston (COH) to connect employees with additional support options for ice distribution, and public relief resources. 

Houston Airports stands with Houstonians as our community begins the long road to recovery from Hurricane Beryl. #HoustonStrong.

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