Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has opened a new Integrated Coordination Centre (ICC), bringing airport operations, security and emergency response into a single location for the first time.
The ICC brings together staff from the Houston Airport System, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Houston Police Department, maintenance dispatch and terminal operations. Each group previously worked in separate offices. The new facility is equipped with workstations displaying real-time information, including weather radar, gate assignments and aircraft positions in Houston’s airspace.
Planning for the ICC began five years ago, informed by operational models at other major US airports, while adjustments were made for local requirements such as hurricane preparedness.
The centre is intended to manage both daily operations and emergencies. In routine use, it monitors passenger movement, aircraft gate assignments and maintenance issues. In adverse weather or large-scale disruptions, it functions as a 24-hour operations room coordinating responses across agencies.
Stephen Mamo, senior division manager of the ICC and Emergency Operations Center at Bush Airport for Houston Airports said:By bringing everyone under one roof, we’ve torn down the silos. We’re streamlining communication, making collaborative decisions and improving our ability to respond — in real time — to whatever the day brings.
It’s about accurate, timely information. It’s about safety, clarity and making sure that, even on the most challenging days, people feel confident travelling through Houston.
The opening of the ICC comes as passenger numbers at Bush Airport continue to grow. In 2024, the airport handled 48 million passengers, the highest in its history. Further increases are expected in 2026 when Houston hosts FIFA World Cup matches. Airport officials say the ICC will coordinate security, traffic and passenger flows during that period.
The ICC is part of a wider programme of infrastructure upgrades across Houston’s airports, managed by the Houston Airport System.
