IAH is all dressed for the World Cup
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Countdown clock at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Photo: Alexa Orozco/Axios
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is transforming as it prepares for an influx of visitors ahead of the World Cup.
Why it matters: For travelers who are flying, the airport will be the first impression of Houston, where seven World Cup matches will be played.
State of play: Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System, says they're preparing for what they call "two World Cups" — the tournament itself and the millions of travelers moving through Houston on their way to matches across North America, particularly in Mexico.
Zoom in: Travelers can expect a mix of infrastructure upgrades and fan-focused experiences, including:
- Additional TSA screening capacity, with eight more lanes expected to be operating during the tournament compared with last year.
- New Customs and Border Protection technology, including enhanced passenger processing that uses biometric verification for U.S. citizens.
- A goal of getting international arrivals through customs within 30 minutes.
- Fan activations, photo opportunities, sponsor experiences and TVs playing the matches.
Plus: Staff, who collectively speak more than 26 languages, will also be available to assist travelers, as will additional volunteers.
What they're saying: "We want to make sure that it's a very exciting experience," Szczesniak says.
Context: The Houston Airport System has been working on the $1.46 billion IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program since 2019, including major upgrades to terminals D and E.
- Meanwhile, Terminal B in IAH is undergoing construction.
Go deeper: Metro service from the airports