A degree of normality seems to be returning to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the Texas megalopolis' main international hub. This upturn in activity follows an unprecedented decline in traffic due to covid-19.
According to the authorities at Houston Airports, which manages the city's four airports, two-thirds of international airlines have resumed operations. A move which once again favours transfers between Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Among the latest intercontinental airlines to return to Houston are Air France, Emirates, Qatar Airways and United Airlines.
She was the first to open the ball on 23 August, Emirates flies three times a week to Houston from Dubai. It was followed on 2 September by Air France. The latter is once again flying three times a week to the Texan city with an A330-200 in three-class configuration. Qatar Airways is back with three flights a week (four on 15 September).
As for United AirlinesIn addition to three flights a week to Amsterdam and Frankfurt, the airline will be resuming flights to Buenos Aires (one frequency a week) and Lima (3 flights a week) on 1 October. However, the airline has postponed the resumption of several flights. Nevertheless, United plans to return to the Houston-London-Heathrow and Houston-Munich routes in Europe; it should also resume services to Rio, Sydney and Tokyo at the beginning of November.
Other European carriers serving Houston include KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.
A major hub to Mexico
Houston remains a major hub for links with Mexico, with the Texan city having the highest number of flights to its neighbour. Thirteen Mexican destinations currently benefit from flights to Houston.
Some airlines - VivaAerobus and Volaris - are even launching new services to Houston. Since August, VivaAerobus has been offering two weekly flights to Mexico City. Volaris will follow in November with the launch of two flights a week to Mexico City. The carrier already serves Monterrey from Houston IAH.
Houston George Bush Intercontinental is the 16th largest hub in the United States by its traffic. The airport recorded 45.3 million passengers in 2019. A total of 118 domestic destinations and 69 international destinations are accessible from IAH.
International business, Houston handled 1.03 million passengers last year, including 150,000 to Europe.. Between January and July 2020, however, passenger numbers fell by 77%. The decline even reached 89% on international routes.
