United Airlines said on Friday that it was spending $33 million to buy 46 hectares of land in Denver as part of its growth strategy.
The Chicago-based US airline said it plans to use “part of this land as the site for the expansion of our world-class pilot training facility in Denver”, according to Reuters. As to whether she intends to use the land to move her the head officea United spokeswoman was vague: “The land in Denver provides us with options for the future as we implement our major growth plans. »
United acquires two plots, including one just outside Denver International Airport with access to its flight training center. The American company specifies that it is “in Chicago for decades and there are thousands of employees here” adding that it has an immediate need to expand its center of flight training. “Beyond that, it is prudent for any large company to take advantage of opportunities to buy land in its key cities when the opportunity arises. So we didn’t want to miss this opportunity in Denver.”the airline said.
With approximately 10,000 employees (a number still growing), United is Denver’s largest private employer. IAD (I’denver international airportlisten)) is the largest employer in the state. United said the expanded academy on the new ground is expected to create about 240 jobs in Denver, with an average annual salary of $186,500.
In December, United Airlines announced it was buying up to 200 new planes and potentially creating 1,800 jobs in Denver. In May, the airline announced that it was adding 35 new flights, six new routes and 12 new gates to DIA. If United left Chicagoit would be a blow to Illinois, which has lost other major headquarters, including Boeingwhich announced in May 2022 that it was moving its headquarters from Chicago to Arlingtonin Virginia.
