Can you introduce us to Houston Airports and share a bit about its history and uniqueness, as well as your personal vision for the airport system?
Houston Airports comprises three distinct hubs: George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport, which also doubles as a spaceport. George Bush Intercontinental, opened in 1969, is the primary international gateway, while Houston Hobby functions as a medium hub. Ellington Airport has carved its niche with space business operations. Our overarching mission is to connect people, cultures, economies, and businesses worldwide, and we envision the airport as a five-star global air service where the magic of flight is celebrated.
Houston, being the fourth largest city in the United States, has a booming population and robust economy. Our airport system serves as a critical conduit for international and domestic travel, facilitating seamless connections to Asia, Europe, and Latin America. As hubs for major airlines like United and Southwest, we are strategically positioned to cater to the diverse and growing travel needs of the Houston community, ensuring that our infrastructure and services evolve in tandem with the city’s dynamism.
Can you talk about the steps taken by Houston Airports towards sustainability?
Houston Airports currently serves around 60 million passengers annually, and we have returned to pre-COVID traffic levels. We are anticipating a surge beyond 2019 numbers, aided by the city's attractiveness as a destination, with over 100,000 new residents moving to Houston annually. This population influx directly correlates with increased air traffic, spurring us to expand and enhance our services accordingly.
On the sustainability front, we are undertaking comprehensive energy reduction and carbon capture initiatives. A mix of upgraded terminals, utility systems carbon capturing landscaping and the incorporation of solar panels atop parking garages exemplifies our commitment to green practices. Additionally, committing to further advancement through the Airport Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Program underscores our continuous effort to minimize our environmental footprint, aligning with the global push towards more sustainable air travel.
How do the age and structure of the airport pose challenges to your sustainability efforts, and what initiatives are being undertaken to overcome these?
Indeed, the legacy infrastructure from 1969 poses challenges in our quest for modernization and sustainability. The multiple connecting points for electricity, for instance, make it complex and costly to integrate renewable energy sources like solar power. However, as we undertake new projects, we are ensuring the inclusion of modern design standards and technological advancements to mitigate these challenges and improve energy efficiency.
As we grow and replace old infrastructure we are committed to growing responsibly. This is demonstrated by our 99% recycling achievement of old facilities during the construction of the new international terminal central processor. Moreover, we are revamping the electrical grid to facilitate easier integration of renewables, with an eye on attaining both sustainability and resiliency, given Houston’s vulnerability to hurricanes and ice storms. These initiatives contribute to a more efficient, eco-friendly, and resilient airport infrastructure.
Can you provide insights into the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport and its role in the broader aerospace ecosystem?
The Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport is currently a hub for the manufacture of space components, housing companies like Collins Aerospace, Intuitive Machines, and Axiom Space. While licensed for horizontal takeoffs, the Spaceport’s current function revolves around the production of spacesuits, lunar landers, and components for space stations. Its proximity to the NASA Johnson Space Center augments an ecosystem that fosters innovation and collaboration in space technology.
We are also home to Venus Aerospace, a company developing hypersonic jet technology. With about 500 space businesses in Houston and a rich legacy as Space City USA, the spaceport underscores our commitment to being at the forefront of space exploration and travel. Our focus is not just on accommodating the technological advancements of today but also on fostering an environment where tomorrow’s innovations in space travel can be realized and launched.
How are you balancing sustainability and affordability, given that implementing sustainable practices can be expensive?
Sustainability and affordability are closely intertwined, and we address this by focusing on the long-term benefits of our initiatives. We invested around $28 million in 18 sustainability projects, yielding annual savings of approximately $7 million when combining natural gas and electricity reductions. Collaborations with power companies for rebates further enhance the cost-effectiveness of our sustainability efforts, emphasizing the dual benefits of reduced energy consumption for both the airport and energy providers.
Houston’s unique position of having access to abundant solar and wind resources in West Texas is instrumental in our sustainability journey.
We are powered by renewable energy credits and are looking to enhance on-site renewable energy generation to boost resiliency, especially during natural disasters. Implementing solar farms on airport property and expanding existing installations are part of our strategy to harness renewable energy effectively while maintaining affordability.
How are partnerships and collaborations playing a role in your sustainability efforts, and what is your stance on sustainable aviation fuel?
We recently released a Request for Information (RFI) to the community to explore a universe of options for enhancing our sustainability efforts. We are considering a mix of solar, battery, electricity generation with waste heat usage for the terminals, and tapping into Houston’s emerging hydrogen hub. Collaborations with energy companies and stakeholders are crucial to realizing these innovative energy solutions and combating climate change effectively.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a significant aspect of our collaboration efforts, especially with airlines like United, which has a strong commitment to SAF. Our proximity to refineries capable of producing SAF and the existing infrastructure that can accommodate it facilitates its integration into our fuel supply. We are actively exploring opportunities to increase SAF availability and distribution, underscoring our commitment to sustainable aviation.
Given the complexity of decarbonizing the aviation industry, how are you navigating the transition to more sustainable practices at the airport?
Our transition to more sustainable practices is a meticulously planned process, supported by a $12.5 million grant from the FAA. We are conducting energy audits, developing resiliency master plans, and investing in energy efficiency projects at the airports. These initiatives are part of a holistic approach to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring our belief in a portfolio of options rather than a single solution.
The aviation industry’s electrification, evidenced by eVTOLs and electric airplanes, presents another layer of complexity. We are preparing to meet the power demands of these innovations, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to sustainability. Every aspect, from LED lighting to electrifying fleets, contributes to our overarching goal of reducing emissions and enhancing sustainability in the aviation sector.
As your final message to our global readers and to the attendees of COP 28?
The aviation industry is a net positive for the world and is integral to the global economy and culture. We acknowledge there are environmental impacts associated with aviation and it is our collective responsibility to mitigate this impact by leveraging every available resource and strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Aviation offers immense benefits, and our focus is on maximizing these benefits while minimizing the environmental footprint.
Our commitment to sustainability is unwavering, and we continuously seek innovative solutions to enhance our green initiatives. Collaboration, innovation, and a long-term perspective are vital in navigating the challenges of sustainability in aviation. Every effort counts, and together, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact while preserving the essential role of aviation in connecting the world.
