In lockstep with Mayor John Whitmire’s unwavering commitment to transparency, Houston Airports Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak is taking the necessary steps to clarify some aspects of recent media reports.
Director Szczesniak joins Mayor Whitmire in calling for an audit of HAS Development Corporation (HASDC), an airport development corporation approved by Houston City Council in 2000 as a way to generate revenue for Houston Airports. HASDC bylaws automatically designate the Houston Airports Director as the Chairman of the Board and one of three members of the Board of Directors for HASDC. HASDC is funded by net revenues of its investments, not by Houston Airports or City of Houston taxpayers.
To date, revenue generated by HASDC has:
- Funded the renovation of the Interfaith Chapel at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), which elevates the passenger experience.
- Provided funding for the first phase of development of the Houston Spaceport.
- Helped to develop the San Jacinto College Edge Center at the Houston Spaceport. The Edge Center is crucial to developing and growing the aerospace workforce in Houston.
The Houston Spaceport is the world's first truly urban commercial spaceport. It is responsible for 1,800 high-paying jobs and is home to three aerospace companies - Axiom Space, Collins Aerospace and Intuitive Machines - which are working with NASA on missions to the moon and beyond.
“It’s crucial that Houston Airports and the public learn how HASDC is meeting its stated purpose and how revenue generated by the Corporation benefits Houston Airports," said Szczesniak.
Szczesniak was appointed Director of Aviation of Houston Airports on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Within the first 48 hours of Szczesniak taking office, he sent a letter to the President and CEO of HASDC, Agustin Arellano, outlining his initial expectations for the operation of the corporation moving forward. Szczesniak’s expectations will be discussed during his first board meeting with HASDC. The expectations include:
- Posting the Corporations’ Bylaws and associated policies to the HASDC website.
- Posting the Corporation’s annual reports to the HASDC website.
- Posting the names and titles of all Directors, Committee Members, Officers, Advisory Board members and staff to the HASDC website.
- Posting Board agendas at least 72 hours in advance of all meetings to the HASDC website.
- Opening the Board Meetings to the general public.
- Publishing Board minutes to the HASDC website.
- Other possible measures to increase transparency.
CLOSER LOOK | March 1, 2024 Letter from Director Szczesniak to President and CEO of HASDC
Furthermore, Director Szczesniak personally worked to ensure that inquiring local media receive copies of the HASDC bylaws and any other documents requested.
Houston Airports Funding
As city leaders initiate crucial conversations about challenges with the upcoming City Budget, it’s imperative that Houstonians understand that Houston Airports does not use City of Houston tax funds.
Houston Airports operates independently from the City of Houston's tax revenue. Instead of drawing funds from the city's coffers, its operations, maintenance and capital improvement projects are sustained through an Enterprise Fund. The Houston Airports Enterprise Fund is primarily fueled by fees from airport services like parking, concessions and airline user fees.
IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP)
Construction of a new Mickey Leland International Terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) supports continued passenger growth inside and outside the existing international terminal, IAH Terminal D.
The IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP) is comprised of 3 main components:
- The refresh of the existing IAH Terminal D
- A new D-West Pier that can accommodate either additional 10 narrow-body planes, or 6 wide-body planes simultaneously.
- A new International Central Processor that houses ticketing, baggage claim and the security checkpoint.
Terminal D Refresh Complete
Completed in the fall of 2023, Houston Airports revitalized and refreshed the existing Terminal D. Passengers now enjoy entirely new furniture, flooring and gate hold areas in the existing Terminal D. Additionally, we’ve added more amenities to Terminal D, like an ablution room and child play areas, in a thoughtful approach to welcoming international passengers to Bush Airport.
Read about the progress:
IAH Terminal D Refresh creates first-class experience for families
New year, new curated gallery inside Terminal D at Bush Airport
New furniture, more power outlets, Oculus help new international terminal take shape
New Ritual Washing and Prayer spaces at Bush Airport
D-West Pier (summer 2024)
The new D-West Pier is set to open this summer. New gates will accommodate 10 narrow-body aircraft or 6 wide-body aircraft simultaneously. The new D-West Pier will add space for new shops, bars and restaurants.
Read about the progress:
Members of Houston City Council tour progress of new IAH International Terminal
Visual milestones of the new international terminal under construction at Bush Airport
International Central Processor (Phase 1 winter 2024, Phase 2 summer 2025)
With the first phase is set to open this winter, the new facility will house ticket counters, baggage claim, and a 17-lane security checkpoint that will be one of the largest in the country. The ICP will include a state-of-the-art baggage handling system that will revolutionize the passenger experience. It will increase capacity on the Arrivals and Departures curbs. We’ve completed the installation of 8 custom steel trusses for the canopy that will greet international passengers.
ABOUT HOUSTON AIRPORTS | Houston Airports contributes $36.4 billion to the local economy annually. Houston Airports is responsible for 190,000 jobs and serves as a primary gateway to the South-Central Region of the U.S. and Latin America. In 2023, while ITRP construction moved forward, Houston Airports welcomed a record 60.1 million travelers to both Bush and Hobby airports.
Houston Airports remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering a world-class experience when ITRP construction is complete in 2025.