
Texas has a large number of airports catering to both domestic and international flights. The state has around 300 airports open to the public, with sources stating there are 393 and nearly 400 airports and heliports in total. Texas has the highest number of airports among all US states, with air transportation being a major mode of public transport in the state.
What You'll Learn
- Texas has around 300-400 public airports, the most of any US state
- The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the largest in Texas
- The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the second-largest in Texas
- The Del Rio International Airport is the smallest airport in Texas
- Texas airports include both domestic and international airports
Texas has around 300-400 public airports, the most of any US state
The state's second-largest airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is located in Houston and serves as the biggest hub for Houston-based Continental Airlines. This airport operates flights to the majority of destinations in Mexico—more than any other airport in the US.
Texas' third-busiest airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, followed by San Antonio International Airport, El Paso International Airport, and Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport.
Texas' vast network of airports reflects the state's large geographic area and the importance of air transportation as a major mode of public transportation within the state. The state is served by a mix of major international airports, regional airports, and general aviation airports, providing connectivity to both domestic and international destinations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides aeronautical information and assistance for Texas' extensive aviation system, ensuring safe and efficient air travel for residents and visitors alike.
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The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the largest in Texas
The airport is known for its innovative design, featuring semicircular terminals that minimise the distance between the car park and the plane. This unique layout provides a convenient travel experience for passengers. Additionally, the DFW Skylink, a modern bidirectional people mover system, ensures efficient transportation within the airport.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport offers an extensive network of domestic and international flights. As of April 2023, it provides service to 254 destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international locations. The airport accommodates major airlines such as American Airlines, which has a strong presence in all terminals and operates a significant hub at DFW.
The airport has received recognition for its outstanding customer service, being named the best large airport in North America for customer satisfaction by Airports Council International in 2016. It also holds the distinction of being the largest carbon-neutral airport in the world and the first in North America to achieve this status.
With a rich history dating back to the early proposals for a joint airport in 1927, the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport officially commenced operations in 1974. The airport has undergone expansions and improvements over the years, including the recent completion of a $2.7 billion "Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program". Looking ahead, the airport has embarked on expansion projects expected to continue until 2028, including the construction of Terminal F.
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The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the second-largest in Texas
Texas is home to approximately 300 airports open to the public, one of the largest general aviation airport systems in the United States. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located in Houston, is the second-largest airport in Texas. Covering 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land, it is one of the largest passenger hubs for United Airlines and was previously a hub for Continental Airlines and Texas International Airlines.
The airport has five runways and is the 15th busiest airport in the United States for total passenger traffic as of 2022. It is also the busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic, serving destinations across five continents. The airport is accessible via Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59, and it offers a variety of ground transportation options for visitors.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport features five terminals and 121 total gates. Terminals D and E cater to international flights, with Terminal D serving as the arrival point for all non-United international flights. Terminal A is primarily used by non-United domestic carriers, while Terminal B is designated for United Express flights, and Terminal C caters to United domestic flights.
The airport provides a range of dining and shopping options for travellers, including various restaurants, bars, and speciality shops. It also boasts several artworks and sculptures, such as "Light Wings" by Ed Carpenter and "Passing Through" by Leamon Green, enhancing the aesthetic experience for visitors.
In 2020, the airport embarked on a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). The project includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminals D and E, and the addition of new concourses and piers to accommodate increasing passenger numbers.
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The Del Rio International Airport is the smallest airport in Texas
Texas is home to approximately 300 airports open to the public, one of the largest general aviation airport systems in the United States. Among these airports, the Del Rio International Airport is the smallest. Located two miles northwest of Del Rio, Texas, in Val Verde County, the airport is owned and managed by the City of Del Rio.
The airport has been a Part 139 Certified Federal Aviation Airport since February 2005 and is classified as a commercial, primary, non-hub airport by the FAA. It covers 268 acres of land at an elevation of 1,002 feet. The airport features a single runway, 13/31, which measures 6,300 by 100 feet and is made of asphalt.
Del Rio International Airport is used for general aviation and is often utilized by USAF students for training flights due to its proximity to Laughlin Air Force Base. In 2010, the airport recorded 15,357 aircraft operations, averaging 42 per day, with 83% general aviation, 9% airline, and 8% air taxi. At that time, 42 aircraft were based at the airport, with 79% single-engine, 12% multi-engine, and 9% helicopter.
The terminal at Del Rio International Airport has two positions for aircraft parking and a third position exclusively for customs screening. It offers basic amenities, including counter space for two airlines, a large waiting area with restrooms and vending machines, and a single baggage carousel. Boarding is conducted via a mobile covered ramp.
The airport has seen a variety of airlines serve its facilities over the years, including Trans-Texas Airways, Wild Goose Airlines, and American Airlines, which ended its service in April 2023. The airport is currently applying for grants to enhance its services and attract new carriers.
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Texas airports include both domestic and international airports
Texas has a vast network of airports, with around 300–400 airports open to the public. This includes both domestic and international airports, with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport being the major international hubs.
International Airports
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the largest airport in Texas by area, covering 18,076 acres (73.15 km2). It is the fourth-biggest airport in the world by area and the second-biggest in the US. The airport serves 46 overseas and 144 domestic destinations and is the principal hub for American/American Eagle of AMR Corporation, the world's largest airline in terms of passenger fleet volume and overall passenger miles travelled.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the second-largest airport in Texas and is located in Houston. It serves as the primary hub for Continental Airlines, which is also based in Houston. This airport operates flights to the most destinations in Mexico out of all US airports.
Other international airports in Texas include:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
- San Antonio International Airport
- El Paso International Airport
- Midland International Airport
- McAllen Miller International Airport
- Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
- Corpus Christi International Airport
- Valley International Airport
- Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport
- Laredo International Airport
- Del Rio International Airport
Domestic Airports
Texas also has an extensive network of domestic airports, including primary commercial, reliever, and general aviation airports. Some of the notable domestic airports in Texas include:
- William P Hobby Airport
- Tyler Pounds Regional Airport
- Waco Regional Airport
- Wichita Falls Municipal Airport
- East Texas Regional Airport
- Jack Brooks Regional Airport
- Abilene Regional Airport
- Fort Worth Meacham International Airport
- Fort Worth Alliance Airport
- Sugar Land Regional Airport
- David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport
- Arlington Municipal Airport
- Denton Enterprise Airport
- McKinney National Airport
- Dallas Executive Airport
- Georgetown Municipal Airport
- West Houston Airport
- La Porte Municipal Airport
- Stinson Municipal Airport
- Midland Airpark Airport
- Kerrville Municipal Airport
- Jim Hogg County Airport
- Marfa Municipal Airport
- Winkler County Airport
- Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport
- New Braunfels Regional Airport
- Culberson County Airport
- South Texas Regional Airport at Hondo
- Odessa-Schlemeyer Field Airport
- Aransas County Airport
- Pecos Municipal Airport
- Mid-Way Regional Airport
- McGregor Executive Airport
- Angelina County Airport
- Brenham Municipal Airport
- Moore County Airport
- Skylark Field Airport
- Burnet Municipal Airport
- North Texas Regional Airport
- Major Samuel B Cornelius Field Airport
- And many more
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Frequently asked questions
There are 393 airports in Texas that are open to the public.
There are 26 major airports in Texas, including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
The biggest airport in Texas is the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which is the fourth biggest in the world and the second biggest in the United States.