In December, United airlines announced it was buying up to 200 new planes and potentially bringing 1,800 jobs to Denver. In May, the airline announced that it was adding 35 new flights, six new routes and 12 new gates at Denver International Airport (DIA). And Friday, United announced a $33 million purchase of 113 acres in the city.
It's all part of a major expansion the airline is making in Denver. While United is based in Chicago, the growth announced last spring will bring DIA to the same United flight capacity levels as Chicago and Houston.
With around 10,000 employees (and growing), United is the largest private employer in Denver. DIA is the state's largest employer. United said the expanded training center on the new land should bring around 240 jobs to Denver, with an average annual wage of $186,500.
"Our growth means great things for our customers, our employees and the communities we serve, including Denver, and this property gives us a lot of options," said United spokesperson Russell Carlton in a statement Friday. "For example, we've already begun work on plans to use part of this land as the site for the expansion of our world-class Denver pilot training facility and we'll evaluate additional opportunities in the future as our United Next plan unfolds."
While announcing its expansions, United has also dealt with its fair share of chaos at DIA; in June, the airline delayed nearly 1,000 flights and cancelled more than 500. Its pilots picketed for a new contract in May, but agreed to a deal involving up to 40% pay raises in July.
"United's investment in Denver will provide even more opportunities for our airport and community," said DIA CEO Phil Washington in a statement Friday. "United shares our commitment to the region, and that is what makes us great partners. We look forward to learning more about United's growth plans and how we can support their continued expansion at DEN."
Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, whose district includes the airport and the training facility, is excited for what the expansion means for her community.
The land is currently undeveloped agricultural land. Part of it is located at 17671 E. 64th Ave., next to the airport in District 11.
Because District 11 is one of the farthest districts from downtown, the area has faced challenges with transportation and food access. A plan to bring a Coca-Cola bottling plant raised concerns about clogged roads and massive trucks through neighborhoods.
But Gilmore said she is excited about where United purchased land, because it is close to RTD's A-line, hotels and other transit oriented development. She imagines pilots in training will fly in to DIA, stay at hotels and eat at restaurants in the area and use the A-line to travel.
"We're really excited about this announcement and we've always had the goal of having a live-work-play complete neighborhood in the far northeast and this is just one step closer to that reality," Gilmore said. "It was meant to be dense and to embrace density there because of the transit stop, so if there's any place that's perfect for this usage it's right here."
Gilmore is also excited about the new jobs, which could help bring more amenities to the district.
"It's refreshing that after 30 years of wanting something like this in our neighborhood, it's finally coming, and so it's really exciting," she said.
