Skyway (George Bush Intercontinental Airport)
| Company type | Automated people mover system |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | May 24, 1999 |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Area served | George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
| Products | Automated people mover service |
Skyway—previously known as TerminaLink—is an automated people mover operating within George Bush Intercontinental Airport located in Houston, Texas. This transit line runs along the northern perimeter of the airport, operating beyond airport security checkpoints, and connects all five terminals through four stations situated at Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and the International Terminal D/E. Functioning airside, Skyway is one of two people mover systems at the airport; the other is the landside Subway, which began service in 1969.
The fleet consists of 12 Innovia APM 100 vehicles, which draw power from a 600-volt third rail. Each unit can reach speeds up to 30 mph (50 km/h) and has a capacity for 80 passengers. This model is widely adopted across major U.S. airports such as Denver, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Tampa, demonstrating its reliability for airport transportation.
History
The TerminaLink system commenced operations on May 24, 1999, initially covering a distance of 0.1 mile (0.2 km) with two stations linking Terminal C and Terminal B. A maintenance facility was also established between these stations. Continental Airlines financed the project with an investment of US$58 million to improve connectivity between its two terminals. The construction phase lasted 30 months and marked the completion of Continental's broader US$200 million airport expansion initiative.
In 2001, the system was extended by 0.6 mile (0.9 km) from Terminal C to Terminal D. The electrical installation, which included over 71 miles (114 km) of cabling, was overseen by TAG Electric Company.
Further expansion connected the line to Terminal A, entailing an expenditure of US$100 million. Construction for this segment began in early 2008 and concluded in 2010. Onboard announcements in English are delivered by Gabe Doran.
In 2015, the airport undertook a rebranding effort for its transit services: TerminaLink was renamed Skyway, while the Inter-terminal Train adopted the name Subway to better distinguish their respective locations—Skyway operates above ground whereas Subway runs below ground. Concurrently, Skyway vehicles were updated with blue and green exterior wraps reflecting the new branding.