Airports In Southeast Texas: A Comprehensive Guide

Texas has the highest number of airports of any state in the US, with sources citing figures ranging from 114 to 393. The biggest airport in Texas is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, which is also the fourth biggest in the world by area and the second biggest in the US. Dallas Fort Worth International is also the busiest airport in Texas and the fourth busiest in the US. Texas's second-biggest airport is George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located in Houston. Jack Brooks Regional Airport is an airport serving Southeast Texas, located in Beaumont, approximately one mile from the city centre.

Jack Brooks Regional Airport

The airport has a history of airlines starting and ending service, including Southwest Airlines, American Eagle, Continental, Delta/Delta Connection, and United Express. American Eagle, operating on behalf of American Airlines, currently provides air service to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) with three daily flights using 50-seat regional jets. This resumption of service began in February 2013. Before the jet service era, several commuter airlines served the Beaumont/Port Arthur area, including Metro Airlines, Royale Airlines, Air Texana, and Conquest Airlines. These airlines offered nonstop flights to various destinations, including Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, and Austin.

In the year ending 31 December 2022, Jack Brooks Regional Airport recorded 18,894 aircraft operations, averaging 65 per day. The breakdown of these operations included 84% general aviation, 9% air taxi, 5% military, and 2% airline. At that time, 65 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter categories. The airport lost its scheduled passenger air service in 2012 when United Express (Colgan Air) discontinued its Saab 340 turboprop flights to Houston and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Southeast Texas is served by several airports, including Jack Brooks Regional Airport in Beaumont. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) are the major international airports in Texas. DFW, located in Dallas, is the biggest airport in Texas and the fourth biggest in the world by area. It is also the busiest airport in Texas and the fourth busiest in the United States. George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located in Houston, is the second-largest airport in Texas and serves as a major hub for Continental Airlines.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

The airport is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered nearby. In 2022 and 2023, it was the third-busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements and the second-busiest by passenger traffic. It is the largest carbon-neutral airport in the world and, as of April 2023, has service to more nonstop destinations than any other airport in North America. It serves 254 destinations (191 domestic and 63 international) from 28 passenger airlines.

The airport was constructed at a cost of $875 million (equivalent to $5.5 billion in 2024) and opened for commercial service on January 13, 1974. At the time, it was the largest airport in the world in terms of land area, covering 17,500 acres (71 km2). The airport has since expanded and now covers 18,076 acres (73.15 km2), making it the fourth-biggest airport in the world and the second-biggest in the US by area.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

The airport is the busiest in Texas for international passenger traffic and the number of international destinations served. It is the second-busiest airport in Texas overall as of 2021 and the 15th busiest in the United States. The airport serves as the primary hub for Continental Airlines, which is based in Houston. It is a Class B International Airport, offering flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations covering five continents. The airport operates flights to more destinations in Mexico than any other airport in the United States.

In 2020, the airport began a $1.3 billion capital improvement programme called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). The programme includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminals D and E into one centralised terminal. Terminal D will also be refurbished, with a new concourse, Pier D West, being constructed. The ITRP is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025. Future expansion plans include the construction of Central D and East D piers to accommodate growing passenger numbers. The full project is designed to handle 33 million enplaned international passengers annually.

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport

The airport has been recognised for its quality, being named the 2007 Airport of the Year for the State of Texas by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It has continued to receive funding for improvements, including an $8.3 million grant in 2011 for safety enhancements and a $7.6 million grant in 2012 for the construction of a new taxiway. The airport covers 1,200 acres (490 ha; 4.9 km2) and has three asphalt runways.

The airport is home to the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, which occupies the former Tyler passenger terminal that closed in 2002. The museum has a range of exhibits, including military jet fighters and two Russian-manufactured MiG-17F jets that are flown and maintained by the museum.

East Texas Regional Airport

Texas has the highest number of airports among all the states in the US, with 393 airports open to the public. The major international airports in Texas are Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The airport was first opened in July 1947 and was initially serviced by Mid-Continent and Delta Air Lines. Over the years, the airport has undergone several improvements, including the addition of runway lights, approach lights, and an instrument landing system. In 1970, a 10,000-foot paved runway was completed, and in 1976, a new air traffic control tower was built. The airport was renamed East Texas Regional Airport in 2002 and received a grant of $6.5 million in 2007 for major updates, including resurfacing the runway and improving safety features.

The airport caters to a variety of aircraft, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter. In the year ending April 30, 2023, the airport recorded 85,989 aircraft operations, averaging 235 per day. The breakdown of these operations includes 74% general aviation, 10% military, 15% air taxi, and less than 1% airline.

Frequently asked questions