Houston Hobby gets first international flights since 1960s

HOUSTON -- When Southwest Airlines Flight 2207 from Aruba touched down at Hobby Airport this past Saturday (March 7), it ushered in a new era in Houston aviation.

It's the first time the airport has had international flights since the 1960s.

The airport celebrated the occasion by giving the arriving Boeing 737 a water cannon salute.

"This is a huge deal for Houston and for Southwest Airlines," said Southwest Vice President Teresa Laraba.

The airline plans to make Hobby a Latin American gateway -- serving cities in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Southwest partnered with the city of Houston to build a new $156 million international arrivals terminal at Hobby that will include five new gates and U.S. customs facilities.

The expansion is expected to be complete by fall 2015.

"In October, we get to go big," said Laraba. "We get to open our international terminal and allow real international service out of Hobby."

Arriving passengers were greeted with cheers and a cake.

"I'm just happy for Southwest, honestly," said passenger Ashley Stubbs. "It's good for the city, it's good for everyone."

KHOU 11 is owned by Gannett, parent company of Paste BN . Gannett property stories occasionally are used in Ben Mutzabaugh's Today in the Sky blog. Follow the author of this story, KHOU reporter Tim Wetzel, on Twitter at @KHOUTim.