The details
The opening of the Terminal D-West Pier marks the completion of the second of three phases included in the Houston Airport System’s roughly $1.46 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program.
Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System, said the expansion features six new gates built to accommodate wide-body airplanes, noting the gates can be converted to accommodate 10 narrow-body airplanes.
The Terminal D-West Pier also includes:
- A 160,000-square-foot addition to Terminal D
- A 10,000-square-foot architectural ceiling
- A 380-foot-long LED wall covering 11,000 square feet of wall space
- Eight new art commissions by Houston-based artists
- Space for 16 restaurants and businesses
Szczesniak said improving IAH is crucial, as the airport system drives significant economic activity for the city of Houston, generating approximately $36.4 billion and 190,000 jobs annually.
“From a business perspective, you got business travelers that are going to come in here, they're going to go do business downtown, they're going to go to the steakhouse and have a nice steak dinner,” he said.
Additionally, Szczesniak said the Terminal D expansion resulted in the creation of around 250 new jobs at the airport.
“Those [new workers] are all generating their piece, and that gets poured back into the economy,” Szczesniak said.
Airport officials said several local businesses will be operating out of the new terminal in the future, including:Also of note
Szczesniak noted the newly completed Terminal D expansion and other improvements to the airport help make the Houston area an attractive option for international events.
In February, FIFA officials announced Houston was selected to host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup at NRG Stadium, including a pair of matches in the knockout round.
“The airport system right now has almost 200 nonstop destinations, and this infrastructure gives us the ability to continue to push the levels so that we can get to over 200 nonstop destinations,” Szczesniak said. “If [travelers] think about the experience that they can have in this facility, they'll want to connect through our airport.”
What’s next
Airport officials said the next major project included in the redevelopment program—the International Central Processor—is scheduled to be completed in two phases in 2025.
The International Central Processor will include ticketing and baggage claim as well as and one of the largest security checkpoints in the U.S., officials said.