Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
History, Facts and Overview

(Houston, Texas - TX, USA)

In the early sixties, the city of Houston began to recognise the need for an additional airport, to share the ever increasing traffic at the busy William P. Hobby Airport. A site was chosen covering just over 3,000 acres / 1,215 hectares and construction soon commenced.

In 1969, Houston International Airport, as it was then known, was officially inaugurated and its very first 12 months managed to successfully serve around 4.5 million passengers. In 1997, it was renamed and became the George Bush Houston Airport (IAH), honoring the nation's former president, who lives in Houston's exclusive Tanglewood district.


George Bush Houston Airport was always designed with the future in mind and onsite facilities more than meet the needs of passengers.

There are over 50 restaurants and coffee shops, tourist information desks, Travelex counters, ADA facilities, many gift shops and numerous news-stands, which are always easy to find. Also available are telephones for paging, inter-terminal trains, and inexpensive luggage carts. Wi-Fi access is also provided, along with dedicated areas for smokers.