Houston airport officials on new federal grants: 'An integral part of the overall infrastructure improvements needed to accommodate more demand'

Houston’s two main airports – George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – will receive nearly $44 million in federal funding for upgrades to terminals and any work to make their respective facilities energy efficient, according to a report from Houston NBC affiliate KPRC.

“Houston is a growing market for air connectivity and these grants are an integral part of the overall infrastructure improvements needed to accommodate more demand,” Houston Airport System (HAS) officials said in a statement obtained by the station.

KPRC reported that Bush Airport will receive $40 million while $3.6 million will be allocated to Hobby Airport.

IAH will apply its funds to improvements to ticketing, security screening, checkpoints, baggage systems and gates aside from energy efficiencies, according to the station.

The money will also go toward modernizing curbside access and loading bridges, KPRC reported.

IAH officials told the station that the new projects won’t affect the ongoing construction.

Hobby Airport will use its grant to add new gates and baggage systems, as well as improve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access, the report said.

It plans to add new lighting, high-efficiency insulation and energy-efficient glass for its energy efficiency projects, per the station.

HOU became the first airport in Texas and North America to achieve a five-star rating.

Houston Daily reported that Dallas-based low budget carrier Southwest Airlines will engage in a $250 million terminal expansion project at the airport.

The $1.3 billion construction project at IAH has progressed though airport officials warn travelers that the traffic debacle associated with it remains a little longer, according to the publication.

“It’s not 100% better, but it’s an improvement," traveler Deanna Freeman told KPRC, per the report.