Owais Crawford
William P. Hobby Airport, located 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston, has a lot going on behind the scenes to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the airport. The airport covers 1,304 acres, has three runways, and is known for its original art deco terminal building, which now houses the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Hobby Airport, an operating base for Southwest Airlines, offers both international and domestic flights. The airport has a team of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to address various situations, from maintenance issues to emergency responses and law enforcement coordination. Their commitment to safety and efficiency has earned Hobby Airport a 5-star rating in North America by Skytrax in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | William P. Hobby Airport |
| Location | Houston, Texas |
| Size | 1,304 acres |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Original Building | First passenger airline terminal in Houston |
| Current Rating | First 5-Star Airport in North America by Skytrax in 2022 |
| Opening Year | June 1927 |
| Operating Airlines | Southwest Airlines, Delta Douglas, Braniff International Airways, Eastern Air Lines, KLM, National Airlines, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Houston-based Trans-Texas Airways, Pan American World Airways, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines |
| Notable Events | Worldwide computer outage causing major delays and cancellations, plane crash in May 2022, temporary grounding of all flights due to storms, investigation of a possible threat, arrest of a man for shining a laser at commercial airplanes, report of a bomb threat |
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What You'll Learn
History of Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport, located in Houston, Texas, first opened in June 1927 as a private landing field in a 600-acre pasture known as W.T. Carter Field. In 1937, the City of Houston purchased the airfield and renamed it Houston Municipal Airport. The airport's original art deco terminal building, which opened in 1940, now houses the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. During World War II, the airport was used as a training site for the Women's Flying Training Detachment, also known as the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).
In the 1950s, Hobby Airport underwent significant expansion and improvements to accommodate international flights, including the construction of a new modern terminal, lengthened runways, and a high-intensity lighting system. The airport was renamed Houston International Airport in 1957. In 1967, the airport was renamed William P. Hobby Airport after the 27th Governor of Texas, and it became a General Aviation Airport serving mainly private and corporate aircraft.
In 1969, Houston Intercontinental Airport (now George Bush Intercontinental Airport) opened, and many airlines moved there from Hobby Airport. This led to a brief pause in scheduled passenger service at Hobby Airport. However, commercial flights resumed at Hobby in 1971, and the airport continued to grow and expand. In 2015, Hobby Airport once again began offering international air service, and it became the first 5-Star Airport in North America by Skytrax in 2022.
Today, Hobby Airport covers 1,304 acres and has three runways. It is an operating base for Southwest Airlines, offering both international and domestic flights. The airport has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with nearly 13 million passengers travelling through in 2016. Hobby Airport has come a long way since its early days as a private landing field, and it continues to be a vital transportation hub for the region.
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Airlines operating at Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport, located 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston, has a long history dating back to June 1927 when it first opened as a private landing field. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant changes and expansions, with various airlines operating from the airport offering both domestic and international flights.
In the 1930s, Braniff International Airways and Eastern Air Lines served the airport. In December 1959, Houston's first scheduled jets, Delta Douglas DC-8s, began operating nonstop flights to New York. The following year, in April 1960, Braniff International introduced nonstop flights to Dallas Love Field and direct flights to Chicago O'Hare Airport using Boeing 707s. During the same period, Braniff Lockheed L-188 Electra propjets offered nonstop flights to several other destinations, including Chicago Midway Airport and Kansas City.
In June 1960, Eastern Airlines expanded its reach with nonstop flights to New York City Idlewild Airport and Atlanta, while also providing direct services to Newark using Lockheed L-188 Electras. In July 1960, KLM introduced Douglas DC-8 flights to Amsterdam via Montreal, before eventually relocating to Houston Intercontinental Airport (now George Bush Intercontinental Airport).
By the mid-1960s, several other airlines had joined the roster at Hobby Airport. National Airlines and Continental 707s began nonstop services to Los Angeles in June 1961, while National Electras offered nonstop flights to Las Vegas, San Diego, and San Francisco. Continental Vickers Viscounts operated a multi-stop service, connecting Houston to various cities across the country, including Austin, El Paso, and Los Angeles.
In the summer of 1965, American Airlines operated a single jet flight daily from Hobby Airport, utilizing a Boeing 707 on a route that included Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, and San Francisco. During this period, Eastern Airlines expanded its presence with nonstop and direct flights to multiple destinations across the country, including New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.
Trans-Texas Airways (TTa) entered the scene in 1966, introducing Douglas DC-9-10s with nonstop flights to nearby cities such as Dallas Love Field, Corpus Christi, and Baton Rouge. That same year, Braniff had agreements with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) and United Airlines, offering flights to London, England, and Frankfurt, Germany, in collaboration with Pan Am, and connecting Houston to other US cities through their joint operation with United.
In the late 1960s, international flights were operated by KLM and Pan Am from the International Building at Hobby Airport. In 1969, however, both airlines transitioned to the newly opened Houston Intercontinental Airport (now George Bush Intercontinental Airport), leaving Hobby Airport without any scheduled passenger service.
In more recent times, Southwest Airlines has established a strong presence at Houston Hobby, using it as an operating base for its international and domestic flights. As of December 2017, Houston Hobby was ranked as the fifth-largest airport in Southwest's network. Southwest inaugurated its first international terminal at Houston Hobby in 2015, providing connections to Mexico and Central and South America.
Other airlines mentioned in relation to Hobby Airport include Frontier Airlines, which offers affordable nonstop flights to popular travel destinations, and JSX, which provides flights to Destin, Florida.
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Emergency response at Hobby Airport
At William P. Hobby Airport, the Airport Operations Center (AOC) is the nerve center of the airport, coordinating communications, ensuring security, and responding to emergencies. AOC's team of telecommunicators, led by Division Manager Henry Dawson, is responsible for handling various situations, including reports of smoke in aircraft cabins, maintenance requests, medical emergencies, and coordinating with law enforcement.
The AOC plays a critical role in emergency response at Hobby Airport. In one instance, they activated emergency medical response for a passenger in need. Additionally, the AOC maintains security by coordinating with law enforcement to address issues such as human trafficking and potential threats. Their behind-the-scenes work ensures the safety and well-being of everyone at the airport.
Hobby Airport also conducts drills and programs to enhance emergency preparedness. For example, the "Wings for All" program, hosted in partnership with various organizations, offers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the opportunity to rehearse the entire airport experience. This inclusive initiative helps participants prepare for air travel and highlights the airport's commitment to serving diverse communities.
Furthermore, the airport has experienced real-life emergency situations. On May 6, 2022, a small plane crash occurred near Hobby Airport during an emergency landing, and fortunately, all four passengers escaped alive. In another incident, a man was arrested for shining a laser at commercial airplanes and was found to have three felony warrants. The airport also deals with issues like severe weather, which can cause flight delays and cancellations, and they ensure the necessary protocols are followed to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
The emergency response at Hobby Airport is a collaborative effort involving multiple teams and organizations. The AOC, led by Dawson, plays a pivotal role in coordinating communications and ensuring the safety and security of all. Through their dedication and expertise, they handle a wide range of situations, from routine operations to unexpected emergencies, making Hobby Airport a safer place for travelers and staff alike.
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Events and initiatives at Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport, located around 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston, has been the site of several notable events and initiatives over the years.
One of the most significant recent initiatives at Hobby Airport was the "Wings for All" program, a nationwide event hosted in partnership with The Arc, Southwest Airlines, the TSA, and Houston Airports. This program offered individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to rehearse the entire airport experience, from check-in to takeoff. The event highlighted the need for inclusive travel resources in the region and was well-received by the community.
The airport also played a crucial role in Houston Airports' celebration of National Telecommunications Week from April 13 to 19. This weeklong recognition honored the AOC professionals at Hobby and other Houston airports with daily treats, meals, and gifts. The event acknowledged the tireless work of the telecommunications team, who play a vital role in ensuring the safety, security, and smooth operation of the airport.
Hobby Airport has a rich aviation history, dating back to its early days as a private landing field in the 1920s. Over the years, it has witnessed the introduction of groundbreaking aircraft and the expansion of various airlines' networks. Notable examples include the arrival of Houston's first scheduled jets, Delta Douglas DC-8s, in December 1959, and the introduction of nonstop flights to several destinations across the United States and internationally by Braniff International Airways and Eastern Air Lines in the 1960s.
In more recent times, Hobby Airport has faced challenges such as flight delays and cancellations due to severe weather, including thunderstorms and storms in the area. Additionally, the airport has experienced issues with runway lighting and air conditioning system malfunctions, leading to temporary groundings of all flights. Despite these challenges, Hobby Airport continues to serve as a vital transport hub for the region, offering both international and domestic flights to various destinations.
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Security threats at Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport, located in Houston, Texas, has been the site of several security threats in recent years. The airport, which first opened in 1927, serves international and domestic flights and has been recognised as the first 5-star airport in North America.
In 2022, a man was arrested for shining a laser at commercial airplanes and was found to be wanted on three felony warrants. In a separate incident, a wrong-way driver led police on a chase before being apprehended and claiming to have placed a bomb at the airport. This turned out to be a hoax, as no explosives were found.
The airport has also experienced delays and cancellations due to a worldwide computer outage and severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and storms that temporarily grounded all flights.
To enhance security, Houston Hobby has introduced Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) to improve threat detection capabilities. The airport's team of telecommunicators works around the clock to ensure security protocols are followed and respond to emergencies, coordinating with law enforcement when necessary.
Overall, while Hobby Airport has experienced security threats, the airport authorities and law enforcement agencies work diligently to ensure the safety and security of passengers and staff.
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Frequently asked questions
The William P. Hobby Airport, also known as Houston Hobby, is an airport located in Houston, Texas. The airport covers 1,304 acres and has three runways.
Southwest Airlines operates from the William P. Hobby Airport and carries the majority of its passengers. The airport also has flights operated by Delta Air Lines, KLM, Braniff International Airways, Eastern Air Lines, Continental Airlines, National Airlines, American Airlines, and Eastern Airlines.
On May 6, 2022, a small plane crash-landed near the William P. Hobby Airport. All four passengers on board escaped alive.
There have been several instances of flight delays and cancellations at the William P. Hobby Airport due to various reasons, including severe weather, a worldwide computer outage, and a runway lighting issue.
The William P. Hobby Airport has experienced various notable events, including a report of a man shining a laser at commercial airplanes, a wrong-way driver claiming to have placed a bomb at the airport, and a program called "Wings for All" that offered children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to rehearse the airport experience.
