A new global airport travel study has revealed passenger traffic at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) sharply decreased from 2024 to 2025.

The analysis from travel magazine LocalsInsider examined recently released data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the U.S. International Trade Association, and a nationwide survey to determine the following American traveler habits: The most popular U.S. and international destinations, emerging hotspots, and destinations on the decline. The study covered passenger travel trends from January through July 2025.

In the report's ranking of the 40 U.S. airports with the sharpest declines in passenger traffic, HOU ranked 13th on the list.

About 4.26 million arrivals were reported at HOU from January through July 2024, compared to about 3.96 million during the same seven-month period in 2025. According to the data, that's a significant 7.1 percent drop in passenger traffic year-over-year, or a loss of 300,974 passengers.

"As travelers chase new hotspots, some destinations are seeing reduced passenger traffic whether due to rising costs, shifting airline schedules, or evolving traveler preferences, some destinations are seeing a decrease in visitors," the report's author wrote.

HOU's passenger traffic may soon see improvements as federal agencies reopen, but it's not guaranteed. HOU and George Bush Intercontinental Airport had both been included on the Federal Aviation Administration's list of 40 "high volume" airports that would experience capacity cuts and flight cancellations due to the government shutdown. However, USAToday warns that flight disruptions may continue as the FAA evaluates whether services can return to normal.

Passenger traffic declines elsewhere in Texas
It appears most major Texas airports had drops in passenger traffic from 2024 to 2025. Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) was the worst offender in the state with a dramatic 7.4 percent dip in arrivals. DAL also ranked 11th on the list of U.S. airports with the steepest declines in passenger traffic.

More than 5.13 million arrivals were reported at DAL from January through July 2024, compared to over 4.75 million during the same seven-month period in 2025.

This is how passenger traffic has fallen at other major Texas airports from 2024 to 2025:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS):

• 6,107,597 – Passenger arrivals from January to July 2024
• 5,828,396 – Passenger arrivals from January to July 2025
• -4.6 percent – Year-over-year passenger change

• 23,830,017 – Passenger arrivals from January to July 2024
• 23,251,302 – Passenger arrivals from January to July 2025
• -2.4 percent – Year-over-year passenger change

• 1,094,431 – Passenger arrivals from January to July 2024
• 1,076,845 – Passenger arrivals from January to July 2025
• -1.6 percent – Year-over-year passenger change