Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is getting a facelift.
Continental Airlines and the Houston Airport System will share the cost of the $1.2B expansion; Continental will pay for more than half with bonds, and the city will pick up the rest of the tab. A $3 passenger fee, a first for IAH, will also help offset the cost.
The terminal’s only tenant is Continental, with Continental Express occupying the facility.
The new terminal will be 1.7 million sq. ft., up from 360,000 sq. ft.; grow from about 40 to between 60 and 65 gates; and have a second Federal Inspection Services facility for U.S. Customs, which indicates international flights might be in the future.
“Houston’s airport system is among the world’s strongest and fastest-growing and this will help us keep it that way,” Mayor Bill White says. “And as we prepare for the future, the city is happy to continue its strong partnership with Continental Airlines.”
Terminal B’s north and south ramps and the parking garage will be replaced, as will the north and south concourses; existing roadway, signage, utility and fuel storage systems also will be improved. The motorized walkway will connect to Terminal A, and the new north concourse will link to the northwest concourse of Terminal C.
In addition, the central part of the terminal also will be either refurbished or rebuilt.
The expansion, which will be done in phases, is expected to take seven to 10 years.
