Hobby's Nearly $500 Million West Concourse on Track for 2027 as Houston Plans 183-Acre IAH Cargo Expansion

Houston Airports plans to expand the East Cargo area at George Bush Intercontinental Airport from about 100 acres to about 283 acres, adding 183 acres for cargo development. The plans were presented Nov. 4 at the Greater Houston Partnership's State of the Airports event.

The added land is intended for tenant-built warehouses, freight-handling facilities, vehicle parking and supporting infrastructure. Houston Airports expects to seek development proposals in early 2027. A cost for the expansion and the structure of the solicitation were not disclosed.

The cargo plan follows a record year for freight. The two airports handled 598,139 metric tons of cargo, according to Houston Airports.

At William P. Hobby Airport, the West Concourse expansion with Southwest Airlines, valued at nearly $500 million, remains on schedule for phased completion beginning in the first quarter of 2027. The project adds seven gates, a new baggage handling system and a covered walkway connecting the parking garage to the terminal.

Houston Airports also plans to redevelop IAH's cellphone waiting lot on JFK Boulevard. The upgrade could add a fuel station, EV chargers, a convenience store, restrooms and quick-service restaurants.

A new program called AirsideDrive, targeted for January 2027, will provide qualified small businesses with $9 million in excess auto liability coverage above a $1 million base. The program is intended to help smaller firms qualify for airport contracts that require high insurance limits.

IAH has opened 22 gates in its new Terminal B over the past year. No contractors were named for the cargo expansion or the Hobby concourse in the announcement.