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George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) is an international airport in Houston, Texas, United States. Initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969, it was renamed in 1997 after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a Houston resident. The airport is owned by the City of Houston and forms part of the Houston Airport System (HAS), which also includes William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
| IATA Code | IAH |
| ICAO Code | KIAH |
| FAA LID | IAH |
| Location | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Owner | City of Houston |
| Year of Purchase | 1957 |
| Year of Opening | 1969 |
| Year of Rename | 1997 |
| Renamed After | George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States |
| Area | 37 km from Downtown Houston |
| Nearby Roads | Interstate 45, Interstate 69, U.S. Highway 59, and Hardy Toll Road expressway |
| Terminals | A, B, C, D, and E |
| Airlines | United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Qatar Airways |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is owned by the City of Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) is owned by the City of Houston. The airport is located in Houston, Texas, and serves the Greater Houston metropolitan area. It is one of the busiest airports in Texas for international passenger traffic, with flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations covering five continents.
The airport was initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969. In 1997, the Houston City Council unanimously voted to rename the airport after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston. The airport's IATA code, IAH, is derived from the stylization of the airport's name as "Intercontinental Airport of Houston."
The Houston Airport System, which includes George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport, is the City of Houston's Department of Aviation. Together, these airports form one of North America's largest public airport systems. In 2019, the Houston Airports served nearly 60 million passengers, positioning Houston as an international passenger and cargo gateway to the South Central United States and a primary gateway to Latin America.
The City of Houston has continued to invest in the development and improvement of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. In 2020, the airport began a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). This program includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminals D and E into one centralized terminal. Additionally, Terminal D will be refurbished with a new concourse, Pier D West. These strategic investments demonstrate the City of Houston's commitment to enhancing the airport's infrastructure and improving the passenger experience.
The airport has also been used to host events, such as the Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention Event in 2024, showcasing the City of Houston's involvement in addressing critical social issues. Furthermore, the presence of various restaurants and cafes, such as Starbucks, within the airport showcases the City of Houston's commitment to providing a diverse range of dining options for travellers. Overall, the ownership and management of George Bush Intercontinental Airport by the City of Houston have contributed to its growth and development as a significant aviation hub in Texas and beyond.
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It was initially purchased by Houston businessmen
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) is an international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Greater Houston metropolitan area. The airport is currently owned by the City of Houston's Department of Aviation, also known as the Houston Airport System (HAS). HAS also includes William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport.
However, the land on which the airport sits was initially purchased by a group of Houston businessmen in 1957. The businessmen's goal was to preserve the land until the city of Houston could develop a plan to build a new airport to replace the existing William P. Hobby Airport, then known as Houston International Airport.
At the time, Houston Intercontinental Airport, as it was initially called, was intended to serve all scheduled passenger airline services, while Hobby Airport would remain open for general aviation. This plan came to fruition upon the airport's completion in 1969.
Since then, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations, including the addition of new terminals and the ongoing $1.3 billion IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). The airport was renamed in 1997 to honour George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a Houston resident.
Today, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is one of the busiest airports in Texas for international passenger traffic, serving as a gateway to Latin America and offering flights to destinations on five continents.
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It was renamed in 1997
The George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, was renamed in 1997. The airport, which opened in 1969, was originally named Houston Intercontinental Airport. In April 1997, the Houston City Council voted unanimously to change the name to George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston, after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston.
The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations since its opening. Terminal C, named after Lewis W. Cutrer, opened in 1981, followed by the Mickey Leland International Arrivals Building (now Terminal D) in May 1990. Terminal E was partially opened in June 2003 and became fully operational in January 2004. The airport's IATA code, IAH, is derived from the original name, "Intercontinental Airport of Houston".
In 2020, the airport began 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 into a centralised terminal. The redevelopment program is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is part of the Houston Airport System, which also includes the William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport. The Houston Airport System is one of North America's largest public airport systems, serving nearly 60 million passengers in 2019. The airport system connects Houston to the world, positioning the city as an international gateway to the South Central United States and Latin America.
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It is one of North America's largest public airport systems
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is part of the Houston Airport System, which is the City of Houston's Department of Aviation. The Houston Airport System is one of North America's largest public airport systems. It is comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport. In 2019, the Houston Airports served nearly 60 million passengers, positioning Houston as the international passenger and cargo gateway to the South Central United States and a primary gateway to Latin America.
The Houston Airport System has a mobile app that provides users with wayfinding capabilities to navigate their way through IAH and HOU airports. The app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. In addition to the app, Houston Airports has implemented strategic upgrades, innovative solutions, and enhanced passenger services to ensure a smooth experience for travellers. For example, during the 2024 Thanksgiving travel period, Houston Airports welcomed 2.2 million passengers through George Bush Intercontinental Airport, setting a new record.
The Houston Airport System has also made significant investments in the redevelopment of its airport infrastructure. Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is currently undergoing a $2.55 billion investment by United Airlines to enhance the passenger experience. Additionally, the airport system has initiated a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). This program includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminals D and E into one centralized terminal. The ITRP is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025 and will be capable of handling 33 million international passengers annually.
The Houston Airport System is committed to connecting people, businesses, cultures, and economies to the city of Houston. It has established partnerships with various airlines, such as Qatar Airways, which has been operating daily non-stop flights to Doha since 2009. Houston Airports also continuously strives to provide exceptional customer service and utilize cutting-edge technology, as evidenced by Hobby Airport's AX 2024 Award for the "Airport with the Highest Regard for Customer Service."
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It is undergoing a $1.3 billion improvement program
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) is an international airport in Houston, Texas, United States. The airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston and serves the Greater Houston metropolitan area.
In 2020, the airport began undergoing a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). The program is the largest capital improvement project by Houston Airports and includes several upgrades to enhance the airport's international travel capabilities. The flagship project of this program is the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will combine Terminals D and E into a centralised terminal with shared ticketing, departure, and arrival halls. Terminal D will also be extensively refurbished, with a new concourse and the Pier D West being constructed. The project is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025 and will be capable of handling 33 million international passengers annually.
The ITRP is not the first improvement program that the airport has undergone. In December 2009, the Houston City Council approved a plan to allow Midway Cos. to develop 10 acres of land owned by the Houston Airport System (HAS) on the airport's grounds. The developer planned to add an office facility and additional retail space to the airport. Furthermore, in 2024, the airport opened the Terminal D West Pier and planned to open another terminal at the beginning of 2025. The airport has also seen the transformation of Terminal B, with United Airlines investing $2.55 million to enhance the passenger experience.
The George Bush Intercontinental Airport has five terminals and 121 total gates. The airport is one of the largest passenger hubs for United Airlines and was previously a hub for Continental Airlines and Texas International Airlines. The airport offers scheduled flights to numerous domestic and international destinations covering five continents.
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Frequently asked questions
The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is owned by the Houston Airport System, which is the City of Houston's Department of Aviation.
The airport is located in Houston, Texas, United States, about 23 miles north of Downtown Houston.
The airport, initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport, opened in 1969. It was renamed in 1997 to honour George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a Houston resident.
The airport's IATA code is IAH, derived from the stylization "Intercontinental Airport of Houston."
