William P. Hobby Airport has officially broken ground on its $470 million expansion project aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.  The project will expand and modernize the airport’s West Concourse, originally built by Southwest Airlines in 2015. Planned upgrades include seven new gates, an advanced baggage-handling system, additional baggage claim carousels, and an overhead canopy along the departure curb to protect passengers from inclement weather while connecting the terminal to the parking garage.  “This expansion isn’t just about adding more gates—it’s about enhancing every aspect of the passenger experience,” said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, in a statement. “As North America’s first and only 5-Star Skytrax airport, it’s essential for Hobby Airport to offer facilities and services that match our world-class reputation. Partnering with Southwest Airlines on this project allows us to create a truly remarkable experience for all travelers.”  Click to expand Southwest Airlines remains a major player at Hobby Airport, accounting for over 90 percent of its flights in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Earlier this year, Southwest halted operations at Houston’s larger George Bush Intercontinental Airport to focus its Houston operations solely at Hobby.  “Since our first year of service in 1971, we’ve operated nonstop at Hobby Airport. It’s a cornerstone market for us, serving as a base for our flight crews and as a gateway city to our international service,” said Steve Sisneros, Vice President of Airport Affairs at Southwest Airlines, in a statement. “This expansion marks an exciting time for our future here, allowing us to grow our service and reach even more customers.”  Click to expand Slated for completion in 2027, the expansion will also support future growth as both Hobby and Bush airports continue to see record-breaking passenger numbers, welcoming 60.1 million travelers last year, an increase of six million from 2022.   Bush Airport is also undergoing its own expansion, having recently unveiled the new international Terminal D, which adds 160,000 square feet to its facilities. The project features six new gates, space for 16 dining concepts, and enhanced amenities such as a mother’s room, sensory room, children’s play area, upgraded restrooms, lounge seating and art installations.  Learn more about Houston’s airports at the Partnership’s State of the Airports event on Dec. 5, 2024. 

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Texas A&M University Space Institute was celebrated on Nov. 15, marked by the planting of the institute’s flag by Dr. Nancy Currie-Gregg, director of the institute, professor of engineering practice at Texas A&M and a former NASA astronaut. “This new $200 million facility, here next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, will support training for missions, including simulated landings on the moon and Mars, as well as advanced research and development in aeronautics, robotics, and other fields,” said Bill Mahomes ’69, chairman of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. “The facility will be vital for partnerships, both research and commercial, that help Texas businesses as well as NASA stay at the forefront of the final frontier.” The Texas A&M Space Institute positions the university as a national leader in the critical and expanding field of space engineering. The institute is uniquely positioned to train the next generation of space experts by equipping students with the skills needed for a rapidly expanding space industry. With this new opportunity, Texas A&M is pioneering the future of space exploration, securing the safety of our ventures beyond Earth, and ensuring that Texas remains at the forefront of this new space age. “As space exploration expands, there will be a growing demand for highly skilled engineers, scientists, and professionals. Texas A&M is ready,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp ’72. “With this new facility, A&M will create workforce development opportunities in space-related fields.” Texas House Bill 3447, authored by Rep. Greg Bonnen ’88 and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Joan Huffman, received the support of Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker of the House Dade Phelan and the entire Texas Legislature. The $350 million investment, including $200 million allocated for the new facility at Johnson Space Center’s Exploration Park, will propel Texas to the forefront of the space economy. This has laid the foundation for advancements that will benefit not just Texas, but the entire nation. “Texas A&M officially added ‘space-grant university’ to our mission 35 years ago and we’re proud of all that has been accomplished by our world-class faculty over the years since then,” said Texas A&M President General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III. “Thanks to generous support from the state Legislature, this new institute will significantly elevate the university’s reputation as a global leader in space research, aeronautics and innovation, drawing attention from academia, government and private industry worldwide.” Texas A&M University employs four astronauts. Scientists and engineers from Texas A&M have participated in all NASA rover missions to Mars with two scientists active on NASA’s Perseverance Rover Team. Plus, more than 280 faculty and investigators from Texas A&M, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station and Texas A&M AgriLife Research are involved in space-related research. “With the new facility at Exploration Park, Texas A&M will play a pivotal role in lunar missions, Mars exploration, and simulations for living on the Moon and Mars,” said Dr. Robert Bishop, dean of the Texas A&M College of Engineering. “This site will foster the development of innovative technologies like landers, space suits, rovers and other essential equipment.” Earlier this year, Abbott called on Texas universities to lead the charge in preparing the next generation of engineers for lunar and Martian missions. The space institute groundbreaking marks significant progress towards answering the call. “I am excited to embark on this journey alongside Dr. Rob Ambrose, the associate director of the institute and a professor of mechanical engineering,” Currie-Gregg said. “Together, we are setting the stage for advancements that will redefine what is possible in space exploration and technology. This institute represents our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and I can’t wait to see the breakthroughs that lie ahead.”