Hobby Airport expansion underway
Houston Airports and Southwest Airlines recently came together to celebrate the expansion of Hobby Airport.
The event marks a major milestone in the continued growth and enhancement of Houston’s first commercial airport. The event underscored Hobby Airport’s commitment to providing an exceptional travel experience as it expands to meet the demands of increasing passenger numbers and future growth.
This latest expansion of West Concourse – built by Southwest Airlines in 2015 – will include seven new gates, a state-of-the-art baggage handling system, additional baggage claim carousels and a protective canopy connecting the terminal to the parking garage. These improvements, which are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2027, aim to elevate the overall passenger journey and ensure a seamless, efficient travel experience.
“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. “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.”
The celebration highlighted the strong, longstanding partnership between Houston Airports and Southwest Airlines, which has deep roots in the Houston community.
“Since our first year of service in 1971, we’ve operated nonstop at Hobby Airport,” said Steve Sisneros, vice president of Airport Affairs at Southwest Airlines. “It’s a cornerstone market for us, serving as a base for our flight crews and as a gateway city to our international service. This expansion marks an exciting time for our future here, allowing us to grow our service and reach even more customers.”
Sherri Hull, director of Governmental Affairs for Southwest Airlines, expressed her enthusiasm for the project and its significance to both the airline and the city.
“On behalf of the nearly 5,000 Southwest employees based in Space City, it’s a pleasure to celebrate this milestone with Houston Airports,” said Hull. “This expansion reflects our shared commitment to investing in Houston’s future and enhancing the traveler experience at Hobby Airport.”
The new gates and infrastructure will not only support the expansion of flights and destinations but will also streamline the baggage claim process with the implementation of the Leonardo Cross Belt Sorter, a best-in-class system popular in Europe and gaining traction in the United States.
“Passengers will spend less time waiting for luggage and more time enjoying what Houston has to offer,” said Szczesniak.
For more information, visit www.fly2houston.com/newsroom/articles/houston-airports-southwest-airlines-celebrate-expansion-hobby-airport.
City offers safety tips for heating
HFD urges alarms, warns of carbon monoxide poisoning
With temperatures now reaching the freezing point, the Houston Fire Department urges citizens to be careful and follow some simple safety tips when using space heaters, fireplaces and other supplemental heating sources.
Citizens should always remember: space heaters need space.
The Houston Fire Department recommends the following safety tips when using supplemental heating sources:
– Make sure to have a working smoke alarm and a working carbon monoxide alarm if using gas or a fireplace (including a wood-burning fireplace) for heating.
– Never leave children unattended in a room with a space heater.
– Children may also stick paper or toys in the grates of the space heaters especially gas space heaters.
– Keep all combustible materials, including one’s self, at least 3 feet from the heater.
– Open face heaters should have a screen.
– Provide ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Vented gas/central heating
– Inspect annually by a qualified service technician.
– Do not use these type units without a proper vent pipe. Vent pipes must exhaust to the outside!
– If the flame is not blue, it is not burning properly. It is producing carbon monoxide, which can’t be seen, smelled or tasted. Turn it off.
– Use flexible metal tubing with threaded ends to connect the heater to the gas valve. There should be a cutoff valve for the heater at the wall. Never use a rubber hose to connect a space heater to the gas valve.
– Use soapy water to check all connections and valves for leaks. Never use a match to test for a gas leak.
– Look for the American Gas Association label and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper usage.
Electric heaters
– Never overload outlets or breakers.
– Don’t use extension cords for the heater. If the cord is hot to the touch, turn off the heater and unplug it.
– Electric heaters permanently installed in the wall or ceiling should have lint and dust removed regularly.
Fireplaces
– Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
– Never leave a fireplace fire unattended, particularly when children are present.
– Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container and kept at a safe distance from one’s home.
– Make sure to open the fireplace flue, if applicable.
Carbon monoxide
– Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can kill one before they are even aware of it.
– Carbon monoxide can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, disorientation and fatigue, often mistaken for the flu.
– Have a working carbon monoxide alarm if using gas appliances and/or a fireplace (gas and wood-burning).
– When one’s carbon monoxide alarm sounds, ventilate the house with fresh air by opening windows and doors.
Car crashes into local restaurant
A car crashed through the front window of the Boba Bird restaurant in the 10300 block of Blackhawk at Kirkville near Dobie High School shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.
While the single-automobile accident caused extensive damage to the storefront in which the area restaurant is located, no customers or employees were injured in the incident, according to a post on the business’s Instagram page.
At press time, the cause of the crash and the driver’s condition was unclear.
Footage of the accident from the restaurant’s surveillance system was widely distributed on social media.
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