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George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has been providing air travel in Houston for more than a half a century and recently marked another year of service with its 52nd anniversary on June 8.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner joined in on the celebrations with a tweet.
"Happy birthday @iah! As one of two five-star airports, I appreciate everyone who works to ensure everyone is welcomed. The best is still to come," Turner wrote in a tweet.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport was born out of the necessity to relieve what was then known as Houston International Airport, the Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas said.
IAH opened for business on June 8, 1969. About 80,000 people attended the opening ceremonies.
More than 15 million people and 44 million tons of air cargo passed through the airport in 1988. The next year, George Bush Intercontinental Airport became the 19th busiest airport in the country and was eighth for international travelers.
Bush Airport today is among the country's busiest airports, serving as a hub for United Airlines. United said their operations at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport are almost back to normal, and saw a higher than expected travel volume during Memorial Day Weekend, LMT Online reported.
"Through the weekend we thought it was going to be 32,000 passengers a day, but we recently hit 34,000 and that's great for the Houston hub," Phil Griffith, United's vice president of Operations, told KHOU.
United flights out of Houston are currently up to about 80% of what they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's total bookings have increased by 214% over 2020's figures.
The airport is only expected to get busier this summer, with more people getting back in the skies because of lighter restrictions and an increase in travel confidence because of the vaccine.