Ike Takes $23m Toll on Houston's Airports - Recovery

Hurricane Ike exacted a significant toll on Houston's three airports - some $23 million.

The Houston Airport System (Web site: www.fly2houston.com) says hurricane-force winds and heavy rain battered Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH), Houston Hobby (HOU) and Ellington Field (AFD) (Web site: www.ellingtonairport.com) during the early morning hours of Saturday, September 13. All fields were shut down. IAH and HOU, respectively, are hubs for Continental Airlines and discount airline Southwest.

Bush Intercontinental sustained the lion's share of the damage. More than 40 gates lost electrical power, windows were broken that led to both the Automated People Movers and Inter-terminal trains, jet bridges were hit, and Ike wreaked structural and water damage throughout the airport's five terminals.

Officials at the Houston Airport System say it will take some six to eight months to repair all the damage at these three airports, although by Monday, September 15, flights were back in operation at IAH and HOU. There is no commercial service any longer to Ellington Field. It ended long before Ike struck.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler