A new expansion to George Bush Airport opened on Tuesday in Houston, Texas. This expansion has been worked on throughout the calendar year and will provide more jobs and accommodate more travelers within the airport.

Growth At Bush

Tuesday marked the first day of George Bush Intercontinental Airport's new Terminal D-West Pier. The new terminal add-on is part of a $1.458 billion "Terminal Redevelopment Program" designed to meet increasing demands for air travel and make Houston a go-to destination for foreign travelers.

The Terminal D-West Pier consists of 160,000 square feet, expanding the airport significantly in size. With this new space, the airport now has room for six additional airline gates and up to 10 narrow-body aircraft.

Terminal D as a whole is now 499,650 square feet. According to the airport's press release, the terminal is now three times the size of the field at Minute Maid Park.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire commented on the D-West Pier's project completion:

"We are focused on improving the overall passenger experience at the airport, from parking and traffic to providing modern terminals with the right amenities. This project is a major investment in our city's future...The newly expanded international terminal enhances Houston's reputation as a world-class city and provides a boost to our economy, supporting jobs and attracting more visitors from around the globe." 

Delight At Terminal D

Within the new terminal are 16 new retail and dining locales, which include The LEGO Store, Jetero Market, and Popeye's Chicken. These new locales have created an additional 250 jobs at the airport. iShoppes retail store is planned to open before Thanksgiving of this year, while Texas fan-favorite Velvet Taco will also open at the pier sometime in 2025.

 Throughout the expansion are eight art commissions from local artists and a 10,000-square-foot copper ceiling that imitates the feeling of standing under Houston's oak trees during the day. Accompanying the copper ceiling is an "LED Feature Wall". Precisely 380 feet in length, this wall provides "unique daylight and shadows" throughout the day to provide travelers with an appeasing circadian rhythm — rather than bright lighting for weary travelers late at night.

For those waiting for flights and arrivals of loved ones, there are 500 new seats throughout the terminal, consisting of chairs, loungers, and benches. Some of these new seats also come with cup holders and outlets for charging electronics. The new area will also provide accommodation for families, thanks to the Mother's Room, Sensory Room, and Child's Play Area.

Houston Airports Director Jim Szczesniak commented on the new terminal expansion:

“When people enter this facility, they’re going to be wowed. I mean, architecturally, it’s fantastic. Customer-friendly-wise, it’s fantastic. So it’s a really good welcome to the city for a lot of folks that are going to be arriving here.”

The airport Terminal Redevelopment Program consists of three primary phases, with the new D-West Pier expansion concluding the second phase. A revamp of Terminal D was completed last year, while a new International Central Processor will be finished by Summer 2025. Construction to expand Terminal D first started back in November 2019.

"The $1.458 billion ITRP will accommodate international airline growth, resolve current and future roadway and curbside capacity constraints, and vastly improve the baggage handling system,"  the press release reads.

A new international terminal for United Airlines is also scheduled to open at the airport in January, with additional lanes for drop-off and pick-up zones to reduce traffic congestion.