Southwest Airlines has plans to continue expanding Hobby Airport with $450 million for seven more gates.
Six of the seven gates will be for Southwest, according to the Houston Airline system. The expansion will be funded by the Houston Airport system's construction and construction and improvement funds.
Jim Szczesniak is the Chief Operating Officer at Houston Airports and said in an email the city is already a primary gateway to the South-Central region of the United States and to Latin America and that the purpose of the expansion is to continue strengthening Houston's global reach.
"The expansion will accommodate the current and future growth of Southwest and other airlines that operate at Hobby," he said.
Some of the $450 million will also go toward passenger needs for additional baggage claim carousels and upgrades to the baggage handling system, restrooms, and various other projects to support increased capacity.
"Houston is an attractive market with an award-winning airport," said Szczesniak. "Expanding the airport's capacity and air service will benefit Houston's economy, create opportunities for more jobs and continue to support the city as a premier tourist destination."
The Houston Airports has an economic impact of $36.4 billion and is responsible for around 190,000 jobs as of 2019, according to the system.
Improvements at Hobby began in 1998 when Houston Airports renovated and expanded the terminal. In its first full year with international service back in 2016, Hobby Airport welcomed more than 800,000 international passengers, the system said.
Other projects approved by Houston City Council include two separate 10-year concessions contracts for Hobby Airport to offer hot and fresh food as the transition of permanent dining options continues, according to Houston Airports. 20 permanent culinary concepts will open between this year in the fall and winter 2024.
“Houston Airports is working with its concessions operators to renovate and open the new permanent dining and retail concepts in a phased approach so passengers always have food and retail options,” the organization told Houston Public Media in May.
