George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

[devonhart]

I remember thinking that the Intercontinental Airport was way too far away from Houston for anyone to want to go there. I couldn't understand why they built the airport so far away, lol.

It was real far away, somebody built a motel in anticipation of the completion of the airport, but apparently the airport's completion date was severly delayed, the dude went bankrupt before it opened. At least that's what my fuzzy memory recalls.

[Vertigo58]

I remember thinking that the Intercontinental Airport was way too far away from Houston for anyone to want to go there. It seemed so far away as to be in another city; I couldn't understand why they built the airport so far away, lol.

It did seem like a zillion miles away from Houston! Your right!

We would get a call from my sis when she would fly in for a stop over and mom would say who wants to go!? Of course we went crazy and fought for the best seat in the car. We must have drove mom crazy just acticipating our arrival at the NEW airport to meet her. It was so exciting hearing and seeing the big airliners moving around with the twinkling lights, etc. Like I mentioned at the beginning, most of the crowd were always dressed up. We used to worry for her alot too because hijackings to Cuba were in thier prime in these days.

[Mikeytex]

..........Came in on a braniff 727......That was when all the braniff planes had the funky day glo colors.. I think ours was kind of a baby doo-doo green...............

Man, you sure can crush a Braniff fan's groove!!!! Just kidding........they were actually "pastel" colors, with some being a "Panagra" variety, and are aptly referred to as Jellybeans. I used to love watching them land/takeoff at Hobby.

[Mikeytex]

Just wanted to add my two cents in here:

I took a tour of the 1940 terminal over at Hobby earlier this week. Pretty cool place, but it's a work in progress. I still recommend it.

Anyway, the guy giving me a tour of the place made the first landing at IAH! Great guy with probably a million stories.

That was A.J. High who worked for Trans Texas Airways/Texas International/Continental. I second the motion on the 1940 air terminal. It is truly a great place to take in an overload of nostalgia. I actually signed a waiver and went into the "off limits" areas with a volunteer. We ended up in the old tower.................if walls could talk!

[lockmat]

Check out the master plans for the airports. Some good images to look at

http://www.houstonairportsystem.org/iahMasterPlan

plans include to demolish the hotel

some major land acquisition on the south-east side as well, including much residential.

Edited September 19, 2007 by lockmat

[C2H]

That's quite an old article but interesting read though.

[holden]

That's quite an old article but interesting read though.

I guess terminal B, C and E will get more restaurants.. was there a news report about terminal C tonight?

[Subdude]

It will be interesting if they are able to follow this plan for IAH. It would end up duplicating the layout of Atlanta Hartsfeld (without the Marta station). Very ambitious, but I think it is a good thing for the city to continue investing in airport infrastructure.

[GovernorAggie]

The good thing is that airports (due to airlines, it seems) tend to follow through on their plans--no matter how long they may take.

[urban909]

here's another link. carriers seem to be interested in adding houston to their network. the houston-lagos market would be a goldmine. virgin nigeria seems wants this route, but again there is issue with foreign ownership, etc. http://www.fly2houston.com/0/471920/0/1906/

Edited September 20, 2007 by urban909

[lockmat]

It will be interesting if they are able to follow this plan for IAH. It would end up duplicating the layout of Atlanta Hartsfeld (without the Marta station). Very ambitious, but I think it is a good thing for the city to continue investing in airport infrastructure.

I thought I read somewhere on their website that funds for expansion were raised through private means?

EDIT:

If you click on the brochure for the master plan, it says, "Revenue generated by the airport, not tax dollars, is used to fund airport development projects. Airport generated revenue includes airport user fees, ticket taxes, federal grants, concession revenues, and proceeds from the sale of airport revenue bonds."

Edited September 20, 2007 by lockmat

[lockmat]

here's another link. carriers seem to be interested in adding houston to their network. the houston-lagos market would be a goldmine. virgin nigeria seems wants this route, but again there is issue with foreign ownership, etc. http://www.fly2houston.com/0/471920/0/1906/

I found an article saying how difficult it is for Houston Nigerians to get to Nigeria. Apparently, Houston has the most Nigerians in the country, yet we still don't have a consilant office. But i guess there have been attempts to get direct flights there, but Nigeria won't give them landing permits or something like that.

[MidtownCoog]

Last I remember the State Department had a Travel Advisory regarding the Lagos airport. Not sure if it has been lifted.

I know O&G guys who have been and they say it's an dangerous exercise getting in and out.

Edit: It still stands.

The department also has a warning in effect for the airport in Bogota, Colombia, similar to that for Athens. It has taken the more severe step of banning direct traffic between the United States and Lagos, Nigeria, because of security problems at the airport in Lagos.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...757C0A960958260

Edited September 20, 2007 by MidtownCoog

[VicMan]

Coog: That article is from 1996.

The ban against Nigeria was lifted (Delta Air Lines is set to get a route from Atlanta to Lagos, pending Nigerian Govt approval)

[MidtownCoog]

D'oh!

At any rate, it's a place only a Nigerian would want to go. And Nigerian gangs in Houston know who goes back and forth. And the next thing you know, you get a visit to see what you may have brought back.

This information is current as of today, Thu Sep 20 14:40:43 2007.

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers. Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country and tends to peak between November and January, during the holiday period.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_928.html

[GovernorAggie]

I think that travel to Abuja should be ok. It's Lagos that's the risk of your own life and well-being. It's too bad because Lagos was going to be one of the world's next great cities. It had a long-range plan (completed by the Wilbur Smith and Associates consulting firm) that included land use, LRT, and so many other great enhancements. And then the military took over the country and used Lagos as its pilfering central. I have friends from Lagos and while things are looking up, they have a LOOOOOOONG way to go! They are also building a new domestic terminal at their airport and are building new subdivisions and master planned communities left and right--just like what you'd see in Houston. Lagos is also getting a rather surprisingly large number of 5-star hotels.

By the way, Lagos went from like 300,000 people in 1950 to (by some counts) anywhere from 7 to 15 MILLION today!!!!! Depending on the agency, it's also predicted to be among the world's 10 largest cities by 2010 (IIRC).

Order or none, growth that fast is bound to throw things out of whack.

Edited September 20, 2007 by GovernorAggie

[102IAHexpress]

Continental doesn

[VicMan]

102IAH: It is true that CO's intentions of expanding transatlantically (and transpacifically) from Houston will be revealed once the 787s come.

CO/COEx expanded services to Latin America (from Mexico to Argentina) and the Caribbean after the new terminal opened.

The following new international routes to Houston opened in...

2007:

* Mexico

** Loreto: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?...&highlight=

2005:

* Argentina

** Buenos Aires: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Colombia

** Cali: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Dominican Republic

** Punta Cana (No longer in service): http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

*Guatemala

** Tikal/Flores (No longer in service): http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Mexico

** Queretaro: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

2004:

* Honduras

** Roatan: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Jaimaica

** Montego Bay: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Mexico

** Durango: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

** Huatulco: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Trinidad and Tobago

** Port of Spain: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

Note: Quito and Guayaquil were split into separate routes in 2004. Before the split, the aircraft flew Houston-Quito-Guayaquil-Houston: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

Edited September 22, 2007 by VicMan

[HtownWxBoy]

Continental doesn

[Trae]

D'oh!

At any rate, it's a place only a Nigerian would want to go. And Nigerian gangs in Houston know who goes back and forth. And the next thing you know, you get a visit to see what you may have brought back.

This information is current as of today, Thu Sep 20 14:40:43 2007.

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers. Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country and tends to peak between November and January, during the holiday period.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_928.html

I have been to Nigeria twice (1993 and 2000). From what I can remember, it wasn't all that bad. My parents said we never ran into problems, or anything. We had one of my dad's brother pick us up though, because many of the taxi drivers over there will rob you on the spot, and put you out in the middle of nowhere. Especially if you are from America.

[Subdude]

I have been to Nigeria twice (1993 and 2000). From what I can remember, it wasn't all that bad. My parents said we never ran into problems, or anything. We had one of my dad's brother pick us up though, because many of the taxi drivers over there will rob you on the spot, and put you out in the middle of nowhere. Especially if you are from America.

Well that's a glowing recommendation! It's not that bad, except that taxi drivers will rob you and abandon you in the middle of nowhere.

[VicMan]

Not to mention all of the Nigerian scammers who convince Westerners to send them money! And a few Westerners fly to West Africa and get robbed or extorted.

[102IAHexpress]

- I wonder if BA will just use their 777s that they now use to fly from Houston to Gatwick for their Heathrow route since they are just switching their route from Gatwick to Heathrow. I flew BAs Houston to Gatwick flight once a few years back... great flight on the 777... but would have been nicer to fly into Heathrow... from Gatwick you have to take like a 30 or so minute train ride into London.

- I believe Air India is also trying to start service into IAH.

Both BA flights will be 777-200ER aircraft.

http://' target="_blank">LHR IAH Dep: 1135 Arr: 1545 BA195 772 Nonstop

LHR IAH Dep: 1300 Arr: 1715 BA197 772 Nonstop

IAH LHR Dep: 1745 Arr: 0905+1 BA194 772 Nonstop

IAH LHR Dep: 1950 Arr: 1110+1 BA196 772 Nonstop

But don

[102IAHexpress]

102IAH: It is true that CO's intentions of expanding transatlantically (and transpacifically) from Houston will be revealed once the 787s come.

CO/COEx expanded services to Latin America (from Mexico to Argentina) and the Caribbean after the new terminal opened.

The following new international routes to Houston opened in...

2007:

* Mexico

** Loreto: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?...&highlight=

2005:

* Argentina

** Buenos Aires: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Colombia

** Cali: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Dominican Republic

** Punta Cana (No longer in service): http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

*Guatemala

** Tikal/Flores (No longer in service): http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Mexico

** Queretaro: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

2004:

* Honduras

** Roatan: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Jaimaica

** Montego Bay: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Mexico

** Durango: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

** Huatulco: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Trinidad and Tobago

** Port of Spain: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

Note: Quito and Guayaquil were split into separate routes in 2004. Before the split, the aircraft flew Houston-Quito-Guayaquil-Houston: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

IMO I doubt that CO will utilize many of their new 787s at IAH. I think most of them will be at EWR. IAH will probably see MAD, FRA and SCL service on the 787s but that's about it.

[Trae]

CO is hq'ed here, yet we get shafted. AA in DFW flies a lot of flights out of their airport.

[KinkaidAlum]

I hate that Continental expands EWR over IAH, but can you blame them?

A 20 million person market compared to a 5.5 million person market.

Massive O&D at EWR and close to the largest financial markets in the world, the New Jersey Pharm. market, a massive tourism market, and more.

Plus, when you fly from IAH to Europe, you pretty much fly right over EWR. IAH-EWR-Europe makes a helluva lot more sense.

That said, we did win a major coup when they started the EZE (Buenos Aires) flights from IAH. That flight has proven to be a GOLDMINE for Continental (as did the Brazil flights compared to the Brazil flights from EWR) so maybe we'll win a few more.

Of course, the biggest thing hurting IAH is the Feds. The transit rules put into place after 9-11 mean that all of the Latin American connections CO could offer at IAH (31 cities in MEX, every major airport in Central America, and several South American routes) to Europe, Japan, Hawaii, etc... are no longer pleasurable for non-US citizens.

[102IAHexpress]

I hate that Continental expands EWR over IAH, but can you blame them?

A 20 million person market compared to a 5.5 million person market.

Massive O&D at EWR and close to the largest financial markets in the world, the New Jersey Pharm. market, a massive tourism market, and more.

Plus, when you fly from IAH to Europe, you pretty much fly right over EWR. IAH-EWR-Europe makes a helluva lot more sense.

That said, we did win a major coup when they started the EZE (Buenos Aires) flights from IAH. That flight has proven to be a GOLDMINE for Continental (as did the Brazil flights compared to the Brazil flights from EWR) so maybe we'll win a few more.

Of course, the biggest thing hurting IAH is the Feds. The transit rules put into place after 9-11 mean that all of the Latin American connections CO could offer at IAH (31 cities in MEX, every major airport in Central America, and several South American routes) to Europe, Japan, Hawaii, etc... are no longer pleasurable for non-US citizens.

For business travelers, securing the necessary visa and travel permits is not really an issue, and for those visiting friends and family it

[ssullivan]

I

[ssullivan]

CO is hq'ed here, yet we get shafted. AA in DFW flies a lot of flights out of their airport.

American is also a much bigger airline.

I wouldn't say IAH gets shafted by Continental. Continental flies to MANY more international destinations than American, and IAH has a much larger number of international destinations served nonstop by Continental than DFW has served by American. Even within the state of Texas American has scaled back service to a number of smaller cities, while Continental has increased service and gained market share in those cities.

Continental has also overseen the construction of an entirely new terminal (E) at IAH, major renovations to Terminal C in the last few years, and has committed to renovating and expanding Terminal B to support the Continental Express operation there. They also opened a new Presidents Club in Terminal A at IAH earlier this year. These are all major investments in the facilities at IAH, which is the airline's largest hub. The only reason American has more flights and serves more passengers at DFW is because it's just a bigger airline. But when it comes to the strength of the route map and schedule, Continental really offers a lot more than American.

[VicMan]

CO is hq'ed here, yet we get shafted. AA in DFW flies a lot of flights out of their airport.

AA has a few more flights transatlantically and one additional Tokyo flight. That's it.

Let me compare and contrast AA's international service from DFW and CO's service to IAH.

International AA destinations of DFW that IAH does not have (in terms of its CO destinations)

Canada:

* Montr