Recent Trends in Airport Traffic
The number of passengers traveling through Houston’s airports has decreased this year, reflecting a broader decline in airport traffic across the state. According to data from the Houston First Corporation, domestic travel through Houston’s two major airports, Hobby and Bush Intercontinental, showed a 2.1% decline in March, while international travel through the airports represented a 0.3% dip.
Factors Contributing to the Decline
Jim Szczesniak, aviation director for the City of Houston, notes that the decline in March aligns with broader air travel patterns observed both across the state and nationwide. The TSA’s estimate of a 1% downturn in March throughput for Texas as a whole highlights that Houston is not an isolated case. Several factors may be contributing to the decline, including economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and rising tariffs. Immigration concerns have also led some to rethink their international travel plans.
Airport-Specific Traffic Numbers
Foot traffic at Hobby Airport in south Houston showed the most significant decline, with 7.2% fewer passengers year-over-year. In contrast, Bush Intercontinental Airport in the northern part of the city showed a much smaller decrease in foot traffic, of 0.1%. Similar travel numbers were reflected in other parts of Texas, with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport seeing a decrease in passenger traffic of almost 5% compared to 2024.
Industry Challenges
Some airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, are facing financial headwinds. The Dallas-based airline recently scrapped its longstanding policy of allowing passengers to check their bags without a fee. Bob Stein, a Rice University political science professor, suggests that labor shortages, increased aviation safety anxieties, impacts of geopolitical tensions, and inflationary pressures may also be contributing to the decline in traffic through the airports.
National Travel Trends
Statistics from the U.S. Travel Association show that domestic travel has remained relatively steady this year, but signs indicate that the momentum may not last. Year-over-year air travel saw a 1.7% dip in the first half of April based on TSA checkpoint inspections. Total international visits to the United States saw a 14% decline from March last year to March this year, according to the association.
Future Prospects
Despite the recent downtick in travel numbers, Houston is on track to set a new travel record this summer. The airports system projects that 19.5 million people will fly through Houston’s airports from Memorial Day to Labor Day, an increase of more than 250,000 passengers over 2024. Last year, local aviation officials hit a city record of 63.1 million passengers traveling through Houston airports.
Conclusion
While the decline in airport traffic is a concern, the Houston Airport System remains a vital hub for regional, national, and international travel. The system’s strong performance throughout 2024 and its continuous efforts to enhance infrastructure and services position it for continued success. As Szczesniak notes, "In fact, when compared to other major cities, Houston’s performance remains relatively resilient, and we are performing better than other major hubs in terms of passenger traffic reduction."
