Houston Airport System officials have nearly completed George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s $1.46 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program as the airport continues to strengthen its international travel options.
The overview
HAS Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak said the Terminal Redevelopment Program represents the single largest investment the city of Houston has contributed to IAH.
Szczesniak noted most of the major phases associated with the project—including the Terminal D-West Pier, Terminal D updates and the airport’s new International Central Processor ticketing hall and security checkpoints—are either finished or nearly completed.
“We’ve got some minor finishing work that’s going on,” Szczesniak said in a Jan. 8 interview. “Most of the work is done. … The remaining thing right now is actually testing and certifying the baggage system.”
While the baggage system isn’t expected to be certified and tested by the Transportation Security Administration until early February, Szczesniak said the overall project will provide an economic boon to the Houston area and should help airport officials prepare for the influx of passengers expected as the city hosts several FIFA World Cup matches in 2026.
- The Terminal D-West Pier includes a 160,000-square-foot expansion featuring six new gates built to accommodate wide-body airplanes that can also be converted to accommodate 10 narrow-body airplanes, as well as space for new retail options and restaurants.
- The International Central Processor includes a consolidated ticketing, security and baggage operation aimed at reducing wait times and simplifying navigation. The ICP will include 30 self-service check-in kiosks, 12 self-service bag drop-offs and 17 TSA checkpoints.
- The Terminal Redevelopment Program also includes a new stacked roadway system aimed at improving traffic flow with the introduction of a nine-lane international arrivals curb and a 10-lane international departures curb.
A closer look
Szczesniak said the improvements that have already been rolled out have generated positive responses from travelers and employees, and traffic in and out of the airport has been praised in particular.
As part of the redevelopment program, Szczesniak said the airport expanded its arrivals curb to include nine lanes and its departures curb to include 10 lanes.
“We haven’t had any traffic issues going outbound … where we used to have gridlock there on a daily basis,” he said.
Szczesniak also said the security checkpoints and ticketing halls will reduce check-in times, adding that the airport is working with TSA to implement technology that will further improve processing speeds.
Additionally, Szczesniak said a new intersection currently under construction at Will Clayton Parkway and Kenswick Drive should ease travel into the airport.
The impact
The airport travel through IAH, William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport contributed roughly $40.6 billion to the Houston-area economy in 2023, according to a December 2024 economic report released by Campbell-Hill Aviation Group.
Szczesniak said IAH transported roughly 51,400 metric tons of cargo in December, representing the second best month in the airport’s history.
- $40.6 billion generated into the Houston-area economy in 2023
- 207,787 jobs created, generating $13.2 billion in labor income in 2023
- 562,809 metric tons of cargo handled in 2025
- 48 million passengers traveled through IAH in 2025, including 12.4 million international travelers
Also of note
Szczesniak said the improvements will help the airport prepare for travelers coming to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The draw has already garnered more than 500 million ticket requests worldwide by fans from over 200 countries, according to a Jan. 14 news release.
- November 2019: Work begins on $1.46 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program.
- Summer 2023: Work concludes on renovations to existing Terminal D area.
- October 2024: IAH opens the Terminal D-West Pier.
- February 2025: IAH opens its Terminal E Ticketing Lobby.
- February 2026: TSA officials will conduct tests to certify the airport’s new baggage systems, representing the last portion of the Terminal Redevelopment Program.
- June 16-July 4: FIFA will host seven 2026 World Cup matches in Houston.