Lake Houston - Humble - Kingwood Edition | January 2024

From the cover

United Airlines to complete Terminal B transformation by 2028

BY SHAHERYAR KHAN

Terminal B renovations

The details

Terminals Concourses

N. TERMINAL RD. Terminal B North Current structure will be demolished; two new concourses will be built for 22 gates for passenger planes

At a Nov. 30 groundbreaking, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the Terminal B expansion will help reinforce IAH’s role as a gateway to other countries and prepare for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, in which Houston is a host city. The project will include: • 22 mainline narrow-body gates, which are gates for large passenger planes, in the north concourse • 18 larger regional jet gates in the south concourse • 115,000 square feet of food and retail space “Houston serves as a critical point for United’s network, facilitating connections to Mexico, the Caribbean and South America,” Grith said. The project will be funded with $2 billion from United Airlines and $600 million from the city. The city’s funding for the project will stem from enterprise funds derived from charges paid by airport passengers, agreed upon during a Nov. 15 Houston City Council meeting. “We’re eager to collaborate with the incoming [city of Houston Controller Chris Hollins], addressing any queries,” said Mario Diaz, executive director of the Houston Airport System. “Our partnership with United Airlines and the nancing team ensures our readiness, aiming for a swift resolution.”

N. TERMINAL RD.

IAH TERMINAL A BUS RAMPS

IAH TERMINALS A&B PARKING GARAGES

JOHN F. KENNEDY BLVD.

PROCESSOR

S. TERMINAL RD.

Terminal B South Current structure will be renovated to include 18 gates for regional jets

Will be renovated to increase the foot trac and have a larger curbside capacity

Originally built in 1969, George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal B is undergoing renovations that aim to update and upgrade outdated infrastructure, customer amenities and baggage systems. RENDERING COURTESY UNITED AIRLINES

What’s next?

The timeline

The impact

As Brown’s term came to an end Jan. 1, recently elected City Controller Chris Hollins will take over the decision- making process regarding the project. “United has been a key partner in highlighting our region on the global stage, and I’m excited to welcome United’s expansion in Houston once I’m condent sucient due diligence has been done,” Hollins said. In 2024, more signicant changes and construction phases are expected to occur at Terminal B, Grith said. The progress will continue in 2025 with ongoing construction and enhancements, gradually shaping the terminal’s new features. By summer 2026, Terminal B North Concourse will be completed, and Terminal B South Concourse will be complete by early 2028, Grith said.

Grith said the project involved detailed planning over the past year and a half. Former Houston City Controller Chris Brown’s nancial inquiries delayed part of the agreement’s funding, raising questions about nancial implications and details, including United Airlines’ credit rating in November, according to previous reporting.

Grith said he projects signicant job creation during and after construction, estimating around 1,500 new hires in 2024, adding to the 2,100 employees United Airlines hired in 2023. “Our goal is to transform George Bush Intercontinental Airport into one of the best and most enjoyable airports nationwide,” Grith said. “To achieve this, as our ights increase, we’ll hire more employees for ground operations, customer service and other areas.”

Terminal B expansion timeline

• May 31, 2023: Plans are proposed to Houston City Council’s Economic Development Committee. • Nov. 8: Houston City Controller Chris Brown declines approval for the project. • Nov. 15: Houston City Council unanimously approves the Terminal B project. • Third quarter of 2026: Terminal B North is expected to reach completion. • First quarter of 2028: Terminal B South is expected to reach completion. • Nov. 30: Terminal B project breaks ground.

United Airlines’ Houston employees

Employees in 2022 12,500

Employees added in 2023

Projected total 16,100

+2,100

Employees to be added in 2024

+1,500

SOURCES: UNITED AIRLINES, CITY OF HOUSTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: UNITED AIRLINESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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