Szczesniak on $450 million expansion project at Hobby: 'Houston is an attractive market with an award-winning airport'

Jim Szczesniak, the chief operating officer (COO) for the Houston Airport System, said a $450 million renovation project at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) “will accommodate the current and future growth” of the airlines that serve the Bayou City’s second major air gateway. HPM reported that the project will add seven new gates, as well as install more baggage claim carousels and make upgrades to aid with the increasing capacity.

"The expansion will accommodate the current and future growth of Southwest and other airlines that operate at Hobby," Szczesniak said in a report from Houston NPR affiliate Houston Public Media (HPM). "Houston is an attractive market with an award-winning airport."

A Community Impact article that was run by Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that work will commence as early as next year. According to the story, Szczesniak said the airport’s seven-gate western concourse will sport 12 upon the project’s completion. He said in the report a majority of the new gates will be for Dallas-based low-coast carrier Southwest Airlines’ (SWA) use while one will be used by other airlines.

Per HPM, Szczesniak touted the expansion as beneficial to the local economy, a huge job creator and an attribute to Houston’s status as a premier tourist destination. The report said that the airport system generates about $36 billion in addition to employing close to 190,000 people pre-pandemic. Houston Daily reported HOU earned the distinction of being the first North American airport to earn international rating agency Skytrax’s first five-star rating for a North American airport last year.

The announcement of the expansion came just after Pappas Restaurants departed Hobby in May. According to Houston Daily, the Houston City Council voted earlier this year to terminate its professional relationship with Pappas and award a lucrative, yet controversial concessions contract to Miami-based Areas.