Houston Airports Breaks Passenger Record in 2023
Houston Airports set a new record in 2023 by welcoming 60.1 million passengers, according to air service data. The combined figures include passenger counts from both George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). The previous record was set in 2019, with 59.7 million passengers, just before the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted the aviation industry.
Compared to the previous year, 2023 saw an increase of six million passengers at Houston Airports. Additionally, the total surpassed the 2019 record by nearly 370,000 passengers.
Breaking down the 2023 passenger numbers, George Bush Intercontinental Airport accounted for 46.1 million total passengers, while William P. Hobby Airport served 14 million passengers. The domestic passenger count for both airports combined was 47.6 million, and the international passenger count reached 12.5 million.
Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, expressed gratitude to the passengers for choosing their airports. Diaz emphasized the commitment to connecting people, businesses, cultures, and economies while serving as a 5-Star air service gateway to the region. He attributed the achievement to the collaborative efforts of the team and the strong support from the community.
In terms of international markets, Houston Airports experienced growth in 2023. The number of passengers connecting to Mexico increased by 27% from 2019, reaching 2.5 million. Passengers connected to Australia/New Zealand showed a 24% increase, totaling 74,483. Additionally, 232,811 passengers connected to the Middle East, marking a 7% growth from 2019.
About Houston Airports
Houston Airports is the City of Houston’s Department of Aviation. Comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, IAH, William P. Hobby Airport, HOU, and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport, EFD, Houston Airports served 60.1 million passengers in 2023. Houston Airports positions Houston as the international passenger and cargo gateway to the South-Central United States and as a primary gateway to Latin America.
