Texas's Commercial Airports: How Many Are There?

Texas has a large number of airports catering to commercial aviation. The state has around 300 airports open to the public, including both domestic and international airports. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport are the major international airports in Texas.

Texas' busiest airports

Texas is home to over 400 airports, and its airline sector is one of the fastest-growing in the United States. Two of America's largest airlines, American and Southwest, are headquartered in the state, and the former is the largest operator at Texas's busiest airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

DFW is not only the busiest airport in Texas but was also ranked as the world's third busiest airport by passenger movements and the second-largest by passenger traffic from 2022 to 2023. In the second quarter (Q2) of 2023, the airport offered more than 12 million seats, an increase of 8% compared to Q2 2019, before the pandemic. DFW is the home of American Airlines, but it also serves as a hub or operating base for several other airlines, including Southern Airways Express, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Texas's second busiest airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental, recorded approximately 6.8 million seats in Q2 2023, a 2% increase compared to 2019. The airport, renamed after former president George H. W. Bush, serves the greater Houston area and is a hub for United Airlines. IAH boasts five runways, all exceeding 9,000 feet in length, and recorded over 422,000 flight operations in 2023. The airport complex consists of five terminals, 121 gates, an automated people mover, and a subway system for easy navigation.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

Located just five miles from Austin's downtown core, AUS is the third busiest airport in Texas. In Q2 2023, it recorded nearly 3.7 million seats, a significant increase of 38% compared to 2019, making it the state's fastest-growing airport in terms of seat capacity. AUS is a focus city for Delta Air Lines and will be an operating base for Allegiant Airlines through January 2025. Southwest Airlines is the airport's largest operator by the number of destinations served, but Allegiant, American, Delta, and United Airlines also have a strong presence.

Dallas Love Field (DAL)

Dallas Love Field, located just six miles from downtown Dallas, is Texas's fourth busiest airport. In Q2 2023, it accommodated over 2.9 million passengers, an increase of 8% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The airport is operated by four airlines, with Southwest Airlines dominating at least 95% of all operations. DAL's most popular routes for 2023 included Los Angeles, Denver, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando.

Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

Houston's primary airport before the opening of George Bush Intercontinental, HOU is now the city's secondary airport and Texas's fifth busiest. In Q2 2023, it offered over 2.2 million seats, a slight decrease of 6% compared to pre-pandemic levels. HOU serves as another operating base for Southwest Airlines and accommodates both international and domestic services. American Airlines (operating as American Eagle) and Sun Country Airlines (seasonally) are also present at the airport. HOU features three runways, each over 5,100 feet in length, a single terminal, two concourses, and 30 gates.

Texas' smallest airport

Texas has a large number of airports open to the public—approximately 300, according to the Texas government. This includes both domestic and international airports, as well as military airports and those reserved for private use.

The smallest airport in Texas is Del Rio International Airport. It is scheduled to be authorized as an international airport. However, it is not currently listed as an international airport, and it does not have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.

Del Rio International Airport is located in Del Rio, Texas. The airport code assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is DRT. The airport's location identifier, assigned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is DRT as well.

Del Rio International Airport is served by American Airlines, offering flights to and from Dallas-Fort Worth and, seasonally, to and from Chicago.

Domestic vs. international airports

Texas has a large aviation system, with around 300 airports open to the public. These airports can be grouped into different categories, including commercial service – primary airports, commercial service – non-primary airports, reliever airports, and general aviation airports.

Domestic airports handle flights within the same country and do not have customs and immigration facilities. They often have shorter runways suitable for short or medium-haul aircraft and regional air traffic. Most municipal airports in the US and Canada are domestic airports.

International airports, on the other hand, have customs and border control facilities, enabling passengers to travel between countries. These airports are usually larger than domestic airports and have longer runways to accommodate heavier aircraft used for international travel.

Some airports are named "international" but function primarily as domestic airports, handling international flights infrequently. Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) in Japan is one such example, and many of these airports are located in the United States.

Texas is home to several international airports, including:

• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
• George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
• William P Hobby Airport
• San Antonio International Airport
• El Paso International Airport
• Midland International Air and Space Port Airport
• Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport
• Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
• McAllen Miller International Airport
• Corpus Christi International Airport
• Valley International Airport
• Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport
• Laredo International Airport
• Del Rio International Airport

These international airports in Texas offer a range of services and amenities, including duty-free shopping, dining, and passenger waiting areas, catering to the needs of both domestic and international travellers.

Public vs. private airports

Texas has a large number of airports serving the public, with around 300 open to the public, including commercial airports, general aviation airports, and reliever airports.

In the US, airports are largely owned and operated by public entities, including local, regional, or state authorities. However, there is one privately-owned airport in the US, in Branson, Missouri, though it only offers seasonal flights.

The public ownership of airports is largely due to the high costs involved in building and maintaining airports, as well as the view that airports are essential infrastructure for economic growth. Airports are also subject to extensive government oversight and regulations, particularly regarding safety and security.

In contrast, many airports in Europe have been privatized and are owned and operated by private companies, with varying levels of government ownership. For example, London Heathrow Airport is owned by Heathrow Airport Holdings, while Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 92% owned by the government.

The debate around public vs. private airports centres on several key issues. On the one hand, public airports are seen as essential infrastructure that should be controlled by the government to ensure fair and equal access for all. They are also a source of economic growth and job creation. On the other hand, private airports are driven by profit, which may lead to a focus on international flights over domestic ones. Private airports may also be more efficient and innovative due to the profit motive.

Ultimately, the decision to have public or private airports depends on a country's specific context, including its economic situation, transportation needs, and the role of the government in providing infrastructure.

Texas airports by city

Texas is home to nearly 400 airports and heliports that are open to the public, including international, regional, and municipal airports. The state's busiest airports include Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and William P Hobby Airport.

Abilene

Abilene Regional Airport is a commercial service – primary airport that serves the city of Abilene.

Amarillo

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is a primary commercial airport located in Amarillo, Texas.

Austin

Austin is served by Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, a primary commercial airport offering scheduled passenger service.

Beaumont

Jack Brooks Regional Airport serves the city of Beaumont and was previously known as the Southeast Texas Regional Airport.

Brownsville

Brownsville is home to the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, a primary commercial airport.

Corpus Christi

The Corpus Christi International Airport is a primary commercial airport serving the city of Corpus Christi.

Dallas

Dallas has several airports, including the major Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, as well as the primary commercial airport, Dallas Love Field Airport.

Del Rio

Del Rio International Airport is a primary commercial airport serving the city of Del Rio.

El Paso

El Paso International Airport is a primary commercial airport located in El Paso, Texas.

Harlingen

The Valley International Airport serves Harlingen and the surrounding area.

Houston

Houston is served by two primary commercial airports: George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport and William P. Hobby Airport.

Killeen

Killeen Regional Airport, also known as Robert Gray Army Airfield, serves the city of Killeen.

Laredo

Laredo International Airport is a primary commercial airport located in Laredo, Texas.

Lubbock

Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport is a primary commercial airport serving Lubbock and the surrounding area.

McAllen

McAllen Miller International Airport is a primary commercial airport located in McAllen, Texas.

Midland

Midland International Air and Space Port is a primary commercial airport serving Midland, Texas.

San Angelo

San Angelo Regional Airport, also known as Mathis Field, is a primary commercial airport serving San Angelo.

San Antonio

San Antonio International Airport is a primary commercial airport located in San Antonio, Texas.

Tyler

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is a primary commercial airport serving Tyler, Texas.

Waco

Waco Regional Airport is a primary commercial airport located in Waco, Texas.

Wichita Falls

Wichita Falls Municipal Airport, also known as Sheppard Air Force Base, is a primary commercial airport serving Wichita Falls.

Frequently asked questions