New Ticketing Facilities Could Shorten Waits At Hobby Airport

If you’ve flown out of Hobby during peak travel periods, you’re probably familiar with those long lines at the Southwest ticket counter. But the popular airline’s new ticketing facility is double the size of its old space.

Southwest spokesman Brad Hawkins says that includes new automated kiosks.

“You print your own bag tags. You then present that with your ID to our customer service agent at the ticket counter.” says Hawkins.”It speeds up the check-in process. It allows us to mitigate lines when we’re talking about rush travel times of the year.”

Ticket counters have now been moved to the new Southwest international terminal, which will handle flights to Latin America starting next month. Houston Airport System spokesman Bill Begley says once the terminal is up and running, Hobby could see about a million additional passengers a year.

“And if you figure that out, then you start to add in potential jobs, up to 10,000 potential new jobs, directly or indirectly, according to one economic study we’ve seen, you’re talking billions of dollars of economic impact,” says Begley.

Southwest spent about $156 million to build its new facility. It includes a customs area and five additional gates.