In the News
April 21, 2006
A Neighbor and a Friend: the Houston Airport System
Houston’s airports add value to local communities
(As appeared in online and print editions of Houston Community Newspapers: The Spring West Observer, The Spring East Observer, The East Montgomery County Observer, The Kingwood Observer, The Atascosita Observer and The Humble Observer)
Did you know that the Houston Airport System’s 3 airports (Ellington, Hobby and Bush) are an economic benefit to our region of more than $24 billion annually? Or that our airports generate jobs, money and opportunity for the local communities thereby contributing to the success of the surrounding region?
I believe it is because of the airport system’s positive economic impact that our communities are growing and that my business, like many others, has thrived in Houston.
Last year, 48 million passengers and more than 347,000 metric tons of air cargo traveled through the region’s airports – but that’s not just numbers. It is a tremendous economic engine employing local people with 151,000 local jobs. It is also immeasurable opportunity for the continued success of this community. And a primary reason we’re considered one of the leading international gateways and business centers in the world.
Growth and success of our airport system comes with varying degrees of inconvenience and acceptance. Neighborhood complaints of airport noise following the construction of a new IAH East-West runway (26R/8L) led to an independent noise study. The study found that the decibel levels in the airport’s surrounding communities were not excessive – that is not in excess of federally-mandated levels.
Interestingly enough, neighborhood groups continued to encourage people to complain of the noise levels. In his recent State of the Airports address, HAS director Rick Vacar summarized the total complaints registered during the month of October, 2005. Of the 4,067 complaints registered that month, 3,585 of them were submitted by 7 individuals.
In a geographically diverse region where more than 5 million people live, work and raise their families, one of the great challenges is working together across city and county boundaries in a manner that creates the best possible outcome for everyone.
The clamor created by a few should not diminish opportunity for everyone else. Now is the time for balance between the concerns of one neighborhood and the benefits for the region.
I am not suggesting that noise complaints should not be taken seriously – quite the contrary – I believe they should. In fact, the FAA takes them very seriously indeed. The federal government has, in the past, recognized instances where noise levels exceeded the federal standards and, in those cases, provided the money to buy out specific neighborhoods.
The Houston Airport System is also very proactive in seeking the community’s input about their expansion plans. I’ve personally experienced the airport system’s outreach efforts in the form of open forums, public invitations and open-door management policies. However, there must be a balance between complaints and the impact of those individual complaints on the overall operations of our airports.
As president of the newly-created Friends of the Airport, I invite you to take a stand: a stand for what is right; a stand for the creation of more jobs; and a stand for the continued growth and prosperity of our local community, our airports and our region.
Learn more on our website, and join us in reaching out – across boundaries – for the future of this region, for our future.
Roy Hearnsberger, Chair
Houston Friends of the Airport
Roy G. Hearnsberger, PE, is an Humble-area resident who serves as president of Friends of the Airport, a regional and independent group of local citizens who support and encourage the continued success of Houston’s three main airports.
