Monthly Update: Aviation

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The Houston Airport System (HAS) handled 62.5 million passengers in the 12 months ending May ’25. That represents a 1.7 percent increase over the 61.4 million handled over the same period last year and a continued improvement over pre-pandemic levels of travel. Domestic and international travel accounted for 49.4 million and 13.1 million passengers, respectively.

While travel was up for the 12-month period, it dropped year-over-year for the month of May, falling 1.2 percent from May ‘24. Domestic travel dropped 2.4 percent to 4.3 million passengers while international travel increased, seeing a 3.5 percent uptick to 1.1 million. The total number of passengers declined at the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) dropping 6.9 percent and counts at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) up slightly by 0.6 percent.

Air cargo through Houston Airports remained steady, with the 12-month total 0.2 percent above the same period last year. Although down from the August ’22 peak, cargo is still above half a million metric tons for the 12 months ending in May ’25.

Avelo Airlines’ new nonstop flight from HOU to Wilmington, North Carolina began service in mid-June. This is Avelo’s second nonstop destination from Hobby, joining Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven. For more news and information, visit fly2houston.com.