Houston Airport System's Bernal on Memorial Day weekend travel: 'We’re really asking people to prepare, prepare, prepare'

The busy start to the summer travel season is about to begin with Memorial Day weekend, and the Houston Airport System (HAS) is urging travelers to get to either William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) or George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) really early. 

Houston CW affiliate KIAH reported that airport officials anticipate higher than pre-pandemic level figures at both HOU and IAH.

“It’s going to be a busy Memorial Day weekend and summer period overall,” the system’s communications director, Augusto Bernal, told the station. “So we’re really asking people to prepare, prepare, prepare.”

KIAH reported that Bush, the city’s main air gateway, will see 704,000 passengers come through while the smaller Hobby will have 212,000 fly in and out.

Bernal warned travelers that parking spots could quickly become unavailable.

“If you go online, and you reserve, even if the garage is filled at capacity, we’re going to let you in, because you have that reservation,” the director said in the report.

The HAS also urges potential flyers with flights and those picking up and dropping off at IAH to be aware of ongoing construction for the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program.

According to Houston Daily, getting in and out of the so-called “Big Airport” has proven rather difficult since the start of the $1.4 billion expansion project, which is slated to be completed late next year.

"We do have to sometimes just do as best we can and settle for getting people through as quickly as possible,” Mario Diaz, the city’s director of aviation, told Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, the publication reported. 

IAH officials provided some tips for flyers to use before leaving for their flights. 

They’re advised to consult the airport website for parking garage capacity updates, arrive three hours early for international departures, two hours early for domestic departures, park in alternate terminals and use the airport’s tram system. 

“With the ongoing construction, with the surge in passenger traffic during the summer months, we’re really asking you to prepare,” Bernal said, KIAH reported. “That evening period between 5 and 8 p.m. is going to be critical for passengers flying out this summer.”