by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:45 AM ET, Thu November 16, 2023
United Airlines and the Houston Airport System announced a massive
investment in the carrier’s hub at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
As part of United's Terminal B Transformation Program, the
airline expects to invest more than $1.9 billion, while the City of Houston
expects to fund $624 million in enabling projects required for the program.
Houston City Council approved and authorized a Memorandum of
Agreement between the City of Houston and United on Wednesday. For City Council
approval, the City of Houston intends to submit requests for the appropriation
of funds in several tranches throughout the project.
The transformation program will help cater to the needs of
an estimated 36 million passengers, encompassing the construction of 40 new
gates for both domestic and international travel at Terminal B.
The Terminal B overhaul includes growing curbside and
roadway capacity, expanding the ticketing lobby, and offering passengers
convenience through dynamic signage, intuitive wayfinding systems and a
ground-level check-in area.
The facility’s third floor will house a streamlined security
processing area. The baggage claim hall will also be expanded, and a new
baggage handling system equipped with advanced tracking technology will support
increased capacity.
The news comes days after a report claimed the Houston City
Council temporarily
blocked a plan by United to renovate Terminal B at George Bush
Intercontinental. City Controller Chris Brown stated his office was unaware of
how the airline planned to finance the expansion and its plans.
Earlier this month, the carrier applied with the U.S.
Department of Transportation to fly daily
nonstop flights between the Houston airport and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
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