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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
COUNCILMEMBER BURKS TO SUPPORT HOBBY AIRPORTINTERNATIONAL
EXPANSION
Proposed Expansion to Create More Jobs at Both Airports,
Transportation
Choices for Houstonians
Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEric J. WeinmannTel: (832)
393-3338Email:[email protected]
Tuesday, May 8, 2012, [HOUSTON, TEXAS] Today, Houston City
CouncilmemberAndrew C. Burks, Jr. announced his intention to
support Hobby Airport terminal expansion andconstruction of a
Federal Inspection Service (FIS) facility, allowing for
international flights.
Proposed expansion would allow Texas-based Southwest Airlines
and other airlines to beginshort and medium-haul international
service from the airport as early as 2015. The move willbring more
transportation choices to Houston and create jobs in and around
both George BushIntercontinental and William P. Hobby Airports.
Regarding this decision, Councilmember Burks commented,
Expanding transportationchoice and competition will make Houston an
even greater city to live, work and dobusiness. More flights and
competitive fares will result in increased tourism,
especiallyretail tourism from Latin America a market we are
currently losing to other cities withmore flight options. Best of
all, international service from Hobby means jobs and an
evenstronger Houston economy.
Southwest Airlines is the first commercial carrier to express
interest in international scheduledservice from Hobby, proposing to
turn Houston into the companys Latin America and Caribbeangateway.
In 2011, Southwest Airlines purchased AirTran Airways. AirTran
flies domestically aswell asinternationally from current domestic
ports in Orlando, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Denver tovarious points
in Mexico, and the Caribbean. Beginning summer 2012, AirTran will
expand itsinternational footprint with service from San Antonio to
Mexico City and Cancun, from Austinand Chicago to Cancun, as well
as new service from Orange County to Mexico City and CaboSan Lucas.
Southwest Airlines intends for AirTrans international expansion to
continue and
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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would like Houston to play a major role in Southwests
international offerings as they expandbeyond the continental United
States.
Currently, Hobby Airport does not have the facilities to process
passengers arriving frominternational destinations. The $100
million dollar terminal expansion and FIS at Hobby will bepaid for
by Southwest Airlines and other users of the facility, and not
through city taxes.
Competition Creates Lower Fares, More Flights and More Jobs for
Houstonians
Current fares for passengers originating or terminating their
international itinerary in Houstonare significantly higher than
other Texas cities. Councilmember Burks remarked, A lack
ofmeaningful competition puts Houstonians and area businesses at a
disadvantage. Byintroducing new transportation choices for
Houstonians, we lower fares, increase qualityand quantity of
service and create jobs.
Texas cities with service to international destinations from
multiple carriers are at a competitiveadvantage to Houston. For
example, a passenger flying from San Antonio to Mexico City
viaHouston pays less than a passenger flying non-stop from Houston
to Mexico City, on the sameflight. This is due to one carrier
having a virtual monopoly on Latin American travel fromHouston.
Free and fair competition allows for lower fares, higher demand,
more flights andexpanded profitability for airlines.
Allowing international flights from Hobby Airport will result in
tremendous economic benefit forHouston. Currently, 235,000 Houston
area jobs are either directly or indirectly related toHoustons
three airports. Airline and airport specific job creation, support
services jobs andincreased numbers of passengers visiting Houston
may lead the creation of thousands of new
jobs for Houstonians as the result of expansion, adding over
$1.6 billion to our economy.
The predicted economic success of all Houston air carriers has
been illustrated by the Miami/Ft.Lauderdale area. Despite
tremendous Latin America-facing growth by low cost carriers such
asJetBlue and Spirit at nearby Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood
International Airport over the past few
years, Miami International Airport has seen about four percent
growth in seat capacity from2007 to 2011 to Caribbean, Mexico, and
Central and South America. This growth occurreddespite increased
competition and severe economic downtown. For Houston,
increasedcompetition, combined with the nations fastest growing
regional population, will supportincreases in domestic and
international service for both airlines with Houston based hubs
-United and Southwest. Increased demand, like in southeast Florida,
will result in job gains atboth airports with all airlines
participating in the Houston market.
Mayor Annise Parker has not yet sent final wording of an
ordinance to council regarding HobbyAirport expansion. However,
Councilmember Burks has officially stated his support, in
principle,for international service at Hobby. Councilmember Burks
looks forward to participating in thepolicy making process in this
important issue and ensuring meaningful economic development
for decades to come.
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