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William P. Hobby Airport, located in Houston, Texas, is named after William Pettus Hobby, who served as the 27th Governor of Texas. The airport, which first opened in 1927 as a private airfield, has undergone numerous name changes and expansions over the years. It has played a significant role in providing air connectivity for passengers travelling through the region and has been recognised for its excellent customer service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | William P. Hobby |
| Full Name | William Pettus Hobby |
| Position | 27th Governor of Texas |
| Year Named After Hobby | 1967 |
| Year Hobby Airport Opened | 1927 |
| Owner | Houston Airport System |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Number of Parking Spaces | 4,000+ |
| Number of Passengers in 2011 | 9.8 million |
| Number of Passengers in 2015 | 12 million |
| Skytrax Rating | 5-Star |
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What You'll Learn
William P. Hobby Airport was named after a former Texas governor
William P. Hobby Airport, located approximately seven miles from downtown Houston, was named after a former Texas governor, William P. Hobby. The airport, which first opened in 1927 as a private landing field, has undergone several name changes over the years.
In 1937, the City of Houston purchased the facility, expanding it to 1,240 acres and renaming it Houston Municipal Airport. The airport was then renamed Howard Hughes Airport in 1938 after Texan Howard Hughes, Jr. built the city's first control tower. However, due to regulations prohibiting federal improvement funds from being used to support an airport named after a living person, the airport's name was changed back to Houston Municipal Airport.
In 1967, the airport was renamed William P. Hobby Airport to honour the former Texas governor. This name change coincided with the opening of the Houston Intercontinental Airport in 1969, which resulted in a temporary shift in Hobby Airport's focus to general aviation service before commercial flights resumed in 1971.
William P. Hobby Airport has continued to undergo expansions and improvements, including the addition of a new international terminal in 2015, enhancing its role as a key regional hub for air connectivity in North America. The airport has received numerous accolades, including being named a 4-star airport by Skytrax and, more recently, the first 5-star airport in North America in 2022.
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Hobby Airport opened in 1927 as a private landing field
William P. Hobby Airport, located approximately seven miles from downtown Houston, has a rich history that dates back to the early days of aviation. In June 1927, the airport first opened as a private landing field, known as W.T. Carter Field, named after Texas businessman and city council member W. T. Carter, Jr. who purchased the property and constructed the airport through his company, Houston Airport Corporation.
The original airfield spanned 600 acres of pasture land and included a landing strip and airmail service. Just a year later, in 1928, the WR-4 Hangar opened, considered Houston's oldest aviation structure. The hangar serviced airmail planes and later served as a maintenance base for Eastern Airlines. Over the years, the hangar has been meticulously preserved and now houses aircraft for the 1940 Air Terminal Museum.
In 1937, the City of Houston acquired the airport and expanded it to 1,240 acres. With this change, the airport's name was updated to Houston Municipal Airport, reflecting its new ownership and expanded footprint. The original wooden terminal building was replaced with a permanent structure, showcasing the Art Deco style of that era. This marked the beginning of Houston's first commercial airport, complete with its control tower.
The airport underwent several name changes in the following years. In 1938, it was renamed Howard Hughes Airport after Texan Howard Hughes, Jr., who played a significant role in improving the airport's infrastructure, including the construction of its first control tower. However, due to regulations prohibiting federal improvement funds for airports named after living individuals, the airport's name reverted to Houston Municipal Airport.
It wasn't until 1967 that the airport was officially renamed William P. Hobby Airport, honouring longtime Houston civic leader and the 27th Governor of Texas, William P. Hobby. This renaming coincided with the airport's international status and expansion projects, including the construction of a new modern terminal, lengthened runways, and additional hangars.
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The City of Houston purchased the airport in 1937
William P. Hobby Airport, located in Houston, Texas, was first established in 1927 as a private airfield. The City of Houston purchased the airport in 1937, expanding the facility to 1,240 acres. The acquisition was made by the Houston city council and the Houston Airport Commission, who paid $356,400 for the airstrip on Telephone Road, previously operated by the W. T. Carter Lumber Company.
The airport was initially named Houston Municipal Airport, and it served as the city's first commercial airport. The facility was expanded and upgraded, including the construction of a permanent terminal building in Art Deco style, replacing the previous wooden structure. The airport was served by Braniff Airways and Eastern Airlines during this period.
The purchase of the airport by the City of Houston marked a significant step in the development of aviation infrastructure in the region. It demonstrated a recognition of the importance of air travel and a commitment to establishing a modern and growing aviation facility. This decision set the foundation for Houston to become a major aviation hub, with the airport playing a crucial role in connecting the region to the rest of the country and the world.
The airport has undergone numerous expansions and improvements over the years, including the addition of new terminals, hangars, and strengthened runways. It has been utilised for both commercial and general aviation purposes, adapting to the changing demands of air travel. The airport was renamed William P. Hobby Airport in 1967 to honour the 27th Governor of Texas, reflecting its significance in the state and its contribution to the region's economy.
Today, William P. Hobby Airport is one of three airports serving Houston and is the second-largest in the city. It accommodates millions of passengers annually and contributes significantly to the region's economic growth and development. The airport continues to undergo enhancements, ensuring its place as a vital transportation hub in North America.
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The airport was renamed Howard Hughes Airport in 1938
Howard Hughes Airport was the first commercial airport in Houston, served only by Braniff Airways and Eastern Airlines. The airport had initially been a private airfield, but the City of Houston purchased the facility in 1937, expanding it to 1,240 acres. The airport was a significant milestone in the history of aviation in Houston, marking the city's first commercial aviation operations and playing a key role in the region's connectivity.
The name change to Howard Hughes Airport was short-lived, however, as the airport reverted to its original name, Houston Municipal Airport. This change occurred because Hughes was still alive, and regulations did not allow federal improvement funds to be allocated to an airport named after a living person. The city of Houston continued to develop the airport, opening a new air terminal and hangar in 1940.
The airport underwent further transformations in the following decades. In 1949, an international wing was added, and in 1954, expansions included a new modern terminal and runway improvements to accommodate international destinations. With these developments, the airport was renamed Houston International Airport.
In 1967, the airport was renamed William P. Hobby Airport after the 27th Governor of Texas. This name change honoured longtime Houston civic leader and former Texas Governor William Pettus Hobby. The airport has continued to expand and modernise, accommodating millions of passengers annually and contributing significantly to the region's economy.
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In 1967, the airport was renamed William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport, located approximately seven miles from downtown Houston, has a long history that dates back to the early days of aviation. In June 1927, it opened as a private landing field in a 600-acre pasture known as W.T. Carter Field, named after Texas businessman and city council member W. T. Carter, Jr. Over the years, the airport underwent several expansions and name changes, reflecting the contributions of notable individuals and its growing international status.
In 1937, the City of Houston purchased the facility, expanding it to 1,240 acres and renaming it Houston Municipal Airport. The airport saw further development with the addition of a control tower built by Texan Howard Hughes, Jr. in 1938, leading to a brief name change to Howard Hughes Airport. However, due to regulations prohibiting federal funding for airports named after living individuals, the airport reverted to its previous name.
In the 1950s, Houston Municipal Airport experienced significant growth, including the construction of a new terminal, lengthened runways, and the addition of several new hangars. By the mid-1960s, the airport continued to expand, and in 1967, it was renamed William P. Hobby Airport, honouring longtime Houston civic leader and the 27th Governor of Texas, William P. Hobby. This name change reflected the airport's international status and paid tribute to Governor Hobby's contributions to the state.
The renaming of the airport in 1967 coincided with a period of growth and improvement. The airport had already undergone numerous expansions and enhancements to accommodate international flights, including the construction of a new modern terminal and the strengthening of runways to handle turbojet aircraft. The facility expansion in the mid-1960s included the addition of another terminal, setting the stage for the airport's renaming as William P. Hobby Airport.
Today, William P. Hobby Airport continues to be a significant aviation hub in Houston, Texas. It has earned accolades for its performance and customer service, including a 4-star rating from Skytrax and recognition as a leading global air transport rating organisation. The airport has also undergone recent expansions, such as the construction of a new international terminal in 2013, further enhancing its facilities and capacity to accommodate international traffic. William P. Hobby Airport proudly bears the name of a former Texas Governor, paying homage to his legacy while serving millions of passengers each year.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport was named after William P. Hobby, the 27th Governor of Texas.
The airport was renamed in 1967, the same year the Houston Intercontinental Airport opened.
Hobby Airport was formerly known as Houston Municipal Airport. It was also briefly named Howard Hughes Airport after Texan Howard Hughes, Jr. who built the city's first control tower.
Howard Hughes was a Texan who set a new speed record by flying around the world in 91 hours in July 1938.
