Alstom has secured a contract worth approximately EUR 380 million to modernize the Skyway automated people mover system at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and to continue its operation and maintenance for 15 years.
The contract includes replacing the current automated people mover system between terminals, delivering a new fleet of 16 Innovia APM R vehicles, modernizing the train control and communications systems, replacing platform doors in all terminals, and building a new operations control center.
Modernized system for one of the busiest airports in the U.S.
Houston Airport is undergoing an extensive expansion program amid rising passenger traffic, which exceeded 48 million travelers last year.
According to Alstom, the modernization of the Skyway system aims to reduce service disruptions, increase capacity, and improve passenger flow between terminals.
The new contract also includes the modernization of the automatic train control system using the Urbalis solution, as well as the installation of digital communications and monitoring systems to increase operational reliability.
Operation and maintenance for another 15 years
In addition to modernizing the infrastructure, Alstom will continue to operate and maintain the system for 15 years, through a dedicated team of 48 people on-site.
The company has been operating and maintaining Skyway for approximately two decades, using the current Innovia APM 100 vehicles, and the new contract extends a partnership of over 25 years with Houston Airport.
According to Alstom, the availability of the current system was 99.63% in 2024.
New vehicles and modernized infrastructure
Alstom states that the 16 Innovia APM R vehicles will be designed to offer improved safety and performance, and the replacement of platform doors will contribute to faster and safer boarding.
During periods when Skyway is taken out of service for maintenance, transportation between terminals will be provided by buses.
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