Houston George Bush Airport and United Airlines preview new USD97m terminal

US' Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport and United Airlines previewed (15-Apr-2013) the new USD97 million 225,000sqft United terminal B south concourse at George Bush Airport to Houston Mayor Annise Parker and other area civic and business leaders. The new facility will open to limited service operations over the next two weeks, with the first 15 gates planned to be fully operational by 01-May-2013, with United planning to add an additional 15 more gates by the end of 2013. At nearly four times the size of the previous south concourse, the new space will feature an expanded gate-lounge areas, 17 F&B and retail concessions and a new passenger lounge. United Airlines vice chairman and chief revenue officer Jim Compton said: "Bush Intercontinental's extensive connecting traffic makes it a premier international gateway and a key hub in United's network." The new terminal has 15,000sqft of F&B and retail concessions, a 500% increase in the concession space over the previous facility. The concessions will include Bar Oyster & Eating House and The Fruteria as well as traditional favourites including Famous Famiglia, Fresh Gourmet Marketplace, Panda Express and Starbucks. Terminal B will be the primary facility in Houston for United Express services operated by regional partners ExpressJet, SkyWest, Trans States and Shuttle America. Together, they operate more than 300 daily services from Bush Intercontinental Airport. The terminal's design incorporates energy-efficient techniques using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria. [more - original PR]