Southwest Airlines breaks ground on new international terminal

HOUSTON – Southwest Airlines and City of Houston leaders broke ground for a new international terminal at Hobby Airport Monday morning.

The terminal adds five new gates for international departures and arrivals. Passengers would have the option to fly to Mexico, South America, and other destinations outside of the United States.

The project, which is funded by Southwest, costs an estimated $156 million dollars.

It will take about two years to complete Construction on the addition.  

Features of the new terminal include a new drop off location, a new ticket counter, and new security checkpoints.

Officials expect the terminal will bring nearly 10,000 additional jobs to the Houston area.

The new international terminal also includes a new parking garage for the estimated 1.6 million additional passengers that will travel through Hobby Airport.

Southwest just recently signed a new 25-year lease at Hobby.