Arrival canopy, new terminal among improvements

As west Houston and the Katy area continue to grow, the Houston Executive Airport is moving forward with a few developments of its own.

Improvement projects underway include construction of the world's largest fixed-based operator arrival canopy and a 22,500-square-foot terminal, set for use by May. A FBO provides services for aircraft owners, such as aircraft fueling, ground handling operations, rental and crew cars, crew lounge, and catering services.

Airport Executive Director Andy Perry said he expects both projects, which cost about $5 million, will contribute to Houston's economy and will provide alternatives for increased air traffic at area airports.

"West Houston is growing, and the oil and gas economy has definitely taken off," he said. "Building the new FBO terminal arrival canopy will help us grow and meet the demands of higher-end business."

About the airport

Houston Executive Airport sits on 1,980 acres at 1900 Cardiff Road, north of I-10, in Brookshire. The 32,800-square-foot canopy is part of the construction of the Henriksen Jet Center.

Construction had initially concerned neighboring residential areas, but Perry said he has worked with them to solve the problem. In addition, he has tried to keep traffic moving and not have the jets sitting around.

Promoting growth

Perry said the airport is another tool for the Katy area to use to attract businesses and grow, especially with the Grand Parkway construction.

"Now we have a major airport out here that can handle the traffic," he said. "It is going to help in the future."

Bob Palladino, a freelance pilot at the airport, flies clients about three times a week out of Houston Executive Airport. Because of the airport's location, he said, its popularity will continue to rise because of accessibility as opposed to neighboring airports.

At William Hobby Airport, Palladino said, can take him an additional half hour to leave because of traffic backups on the runway. At Houston Executive, clients can be in the air by 7 a.m. and arrive at their destination without the extra wait.

Thorough logistical planning benefits the pilots, he said, who can prepare to fly clients faster. In addition, the canopy will help with the wait.

"If you are sitting there for two hours, it can get pretty hot in the cabin if you are sitting out in the sun," Palladino said. "Between the new terminal and the canopy, more fractional airlines and their customers will want to come in and out of there."

Local economic development organizations say the airport improvements will give the Katy area additional leverage when talking to businesses with that require a nearby airport.

"This is going to make it a lot easier because now we will have first-class terminal facilities that companies will want to use," said Vince Yokom, executive director of the Waller County Economic Development Partnership.

Lance LaCour, president and CEO of the Katy Economic Development Council, said the projects will enable the city to go after larger companies and corporate aviation projects, especially those related to the energy industry.

Meanwhile, Perry said, the airport has room to grow. In the last 10 months, it has expanded hangar lease space to more than 122,000 square feet. The new terminal building will also provide office space.

The airport has 18 employees of its own and 50 overall including the businesses. There are 75 businesses using the airport, and Perry said he expects that number to continue to grow. In the future, he would like to extend the 6,600-foot runway and add to the number of hangars.

"Our vision is to offer corporate business aviation the opportunity to get out of western Houston in a timely fashion with the ability to expand and grow in the future," he said.

The center is named after Ron Henriksen, who also opened Austin Executive Airport. Henriksen began building the airport in 2005 when he saw a need for a private airport in west Houston. He opened it in 2007.