This year marks a significant double celebration for Houston Airports. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) commemorates its 55th anniversary of operation, while the nation reflects on the 100th birthday of President George H.W. Bush, for whom the airport was renamed in 1997.

Originally named Houston Intercontinental Airport, it opened on June 8, 1969, with terminals A and B connected via an underground train. The very first flight was a Texas International DC-9 carrying city leaders that departed William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and landed at the new Houston Intercontinental Airport.

In the weeks before the June 8 opening, some 80,000 visitors toured the airport and watched airplane demonstrations, including a Goodyear Blimp and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. On June 7 at 11:59 p.m., all commercial operations at Hobby Airport ceased, and one minute later, activity began at Houston Intercontinental.

As Houston evolved into the most diverse city in the United States - and the fourth largest U.S. city – Bush Airport grew too. Bush Airport spans over 11,000 acres, features five runways, and is Houston’s largest airport. It’s also the premier long-haul airport for the region. With direct flights to 193 destinations, Houston Airports connects Houston to the far reaches of Europe, the depths of South America and every corner of the United States. IAH is part of Houston Airports, a three-airport system that has become a vital global gateway and a powerful economic engine for Houston. 

Bush Airport offers world-class customer service and has maintained its 4-Star Skytrax rating for seven consecutive years. 

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Modernization

IAH continues its commitment to growth and passenger experience. Currently, the airport is undergoing a major expansion, including a new international terminal and the United Airlines Terminal B Transformation. A redevelopment master plan for domestic terminals envisions changes and updates to Bush Airport that will further enhance the airport to better serve passengers and continue successfully connecting people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world through the next decades.  

A Legacy of Service: Honoring President Bush

George Herbert Walker Bush (June 12, 1924 – November 30, 2018), the 41st President of the United States, lived a rich service life. He served as a naval aviator who nearly gave his life in World War II and an entrepreneurial Texas oil pioneer before devoting his life to politics.

As Commander in Chief from 1989 – 1993, President Bush faced a dramatically changing world. In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, marking the beginning of the end of the Cold War. President Bush built a trusting relationship with Chancellor Helmut Kohl and President Mikhail Gorbachev, which ultimately helped result in German reunification and ensured that the end of the Soviet Union would be peaceful.

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Faced with President Saddam Hussein invading Kuwait in 1990, President Bush helped lead a grand coalition of 32 nations to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. After successfully liberating Kuwait, the Bush Administration helped reduce the threat of nuclear threat by signing two Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START). 

With Democratic control in both the House and Senate, President Bush worked across the aisle to help pass the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He then signed the Clean Air Act of 1990 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991.

George Bush married Barbara Pierce in Rye, New York on January 6, 1945. Together, George and Barbara Bush had six children – George W., Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin and Doro – along with 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

Celebrating the Future

As IAH reflects on its past and honors President Bush's legacy, it also looks toward the future. The ongoing expansion projects are a testament to IAH's commitment to providing a world-class travel experience for future generations.