IAH and Hobby airports roll out CLEAR ‘eGates’ technology for faster airport security

Airport passengers in the Greater Houston area who are also CLEAR members can utilize new biometric eGates aimed at expediting identity verification at both George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports.

Zooming out

While the security identity company CLEAR first announced the national airport partnership program rollout with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration on Aug. 19, Houston Airport officials announced in December that the biometric security gates are now in use.

“The eGates are designed to give CLEAR+ members a more seamless and predictable travel experience,” a Dec. 9 news release states. “With this new technology, travelers can verify their identity in under five seconds, bypassing the TSA podium and proceeding directly to physical screening.”

CLEAR officials said in August that the launch efforts will coincide with airports hosting international visitors flying to the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

“With more than 20 million international visitors expected to fly to the U.S. for the tournament—and domestic travel surging through U.S. host cities—checkpoint infrastructure will face unprecedented pressure,” the Aug. 19 news release states.

Current situation

Germany, Portugal and Saudi Arabia are among the three of seven teams that have been flagged to play in Houston for the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament in June.

Seven total matches will be played in Houston, including five group stages and two knockout-round games between June 14 and July 9. The five group stages include:

• June 14: Germany vs. Curaçao
• June 17: Portugal vs. Congo DR/Jamaica/New Caledonia
• June 20: Netherlands vs. Albania/Poland/Sweden/Ukraine
• June 23: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
• June 26: Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia

Houston will also host Round of 32 and Round of 16 of the tournament.

Cassandra Jenkins contributed to this report.