William P. Hobby Airport
KHOU is the ICAO code for William P. Hobby Airport (IATA HOU), located in Houston, TX.
Houston's closer-in airport for private aviation, 7 miles southeast of downtown and 10 minutes from the Texas Medical Center.
Airport guide
Hobby sits 7 miles from downtown Houston, compared to 23 miles for Bush Intercontinental (IAH). For passengers headed to the Medical Center, Midtown, Montrose, or NRG Stadium, the drive time difference is significant. The airport is dominated by Southwest Airlines on the commercial side, but Signature Flight Support operates the FBO on the northeast corner of the field and handles private traffic.
There are no slot requirements and no prior permission needed for private arrivals. The field operates around the clock. Runway 12L/30R is the primary commercial runway at 7,602 feet; private traffic typically uses the parallel or crossing runways depending on configuration. The ramp at Signature is generally uncongested by major-hub standards, and handling times are efficient.
Hobby has CBP facilities for international arrivals, which makes it a practical option for flights returning from Mexico or the Caribbean without the longer taxi times at IAH.
Getting there
Downtown Houston is a 15 to 20 minute drive in normal traffic via I-45 North or Highway 288. The Texas Medical Center, one of the largest medical complexes in the world, is about 8 miles away, roughly 15 minutes. NRG Stadium and the NRG Park complex are 6 miles to the northwest. The Galleria area runs 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic on 610.
Car services and black car operators service Hobby regularly. There is no helicopter transfer option from the airport. Uber and Lyft pick up curbside at the general aviation terminal. A rental car counter is available on the commercial side of the airport a short walk from the Signature FBO.
Rankings history
KHOU's monthly position in the AceJet US business-aviation airport ranking. The ranking counts every observed private-jet movement — arrivals and departures — not just empty legs. See the full ranking →
| Month | Rank | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01 | #11 | 34 |
| 2025-12 | #24 | 610 |
| 2025-11 | #14 | 752 |
| 2025-10 | #18 | 691 |
| 2025-09 | #17 | 644 |
| 2025-08 | #27 | 583 |
| 2025-07 | #21 | 617 |
| 2025-06 | #19 | 407 |
| 2025-05 | #24 | 506 |
| 2025-04 | #18 | 650 |
| 2025-03 | #18 | 687 |
| 2025-02 | #20 | 586 |
FBOs (5)
Charter operators (12)
Empty legs departing (45)
Empty legs arriving (40)
Nearby airports
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Frequently asked questions about William P. Hobby Airport
What is KHOU airport?
KHOU is the ICAO code for William P. Hobby Airport, in Houston, TX.
What does HOU stand for?
HOU is the IATA code for William P. Hobby Airport (KHOU) in Houston, TX.
Where is William P. Hobby Airport?
William P. Hobby Airport is located in Houston, TX.
Does William P. Hobby Airport have customs and immigration?
Yes — William P. Hobby Airport has on-site customs and immigration. International arrivals can clear directly without diverting to another airport.
What time does William P. Hobby Airport open?
William P. Hobby Airport operates 24/7. Voluntary noise abatement 11pm-6am
What FBOs are at William P. Hobby Airport?
William P. Hobby Airport has 5 FBOs: Atlantic Aviation HOU, Galaxy FBO Houston, Jet Aviation Houston, Signature Flight Support HOU, Wilson Air Center Houston.