✈️ Texas Business Aviation Growth Engine: Shifting from Austin to Houston
Avi-Go data shows that from January 1 to July 20, 2026, the three major business aviation hubs of Dallas Love Field (KDAL), Houston Hobby (KHOU), and Austin (KAUS) recorded a combined 102,969 movements, up 3.3% year-over-year. Among them, KDAL continued to lead in volume with 44,878 movements (up 3.5%); KHOU reached 31,904 movements, up 5.0% year-over-year, reversing the 2.2% decline seen in the same period of 2025; while KAUS recorded only 26,187 movements, with growth slowing from the fastest rate of 5.6% in the same period of 2025 to 0.8%, making it the weakest of the three. Austin's high-growth momentum has clearly faded, and the center of Texas business aviation growth is shifting from Austin to Houston.
Impact: Houston's rebound signals a recovery in demand for FBO and ground handling resources, and parking spots and fuel supply at Hobby Airport may become tight; Austin's slowing growth may ease the previously strained pressure on slots and ground resources, returning operations to a steady pace.
Recommendation: Operators and FBOs serving the Houston market should lock in KHOU parking spots and ground handling agreements before Q3 2026 to meet continually recovering demand; resources deployed in Austin may be considered for moderate reallocation toward Houston in the second half of 2026 to capture the dividends of this growth shift.