United Airlines announced that it will allocate $33 million to purchase 113 acres (46 hectares) of land in Denver, in a strategic move aligned with the company’s expansion objectives.
The Chicago-based airline revealed that it intends to utilize “a portion of the acquired land to expand its Denver pilot training facility.” As Reuters reports, in response to inquiries about the potential relocation of United’s corporate headquarters, a spokesperson for the airline stated that “while the Denver land provides us with future options as we execute our ambitious growth plans, our current focus is only the expansion of our operations.”
The acquisition by United Airlines encompasses two plots, one of them adjacent to the Denver International Airport. This offers direct access to its Flight Training Center.
Emphasizing the company’s enduring presence in Chicago and its substantial workforce, United expressed an immediate necessity to enhance its Flight Training Center facilities. “It is a strategic decision for any major corporation to capitalize on opportunities for land acquisition within key metropolitan areas. Thus, seizing this opportunity in Denver aligns with our long-term vision,” the airline said in a press release.
Related content: Boeing leaves Chicago and moves its headquarters to Arlington, Va.
June 2022 witnessed the commencement of construction of a new four-story building at United’s Flight Training Facility. As the largest employer in the Denver region, United boasts over 10,000 employees and operates more than 400 flights daily.
A potential relocation of United from Chicago would not only affect the airline but also have broader implications for Illinois. The state has already experienced the departure of several corporate giants, including Boeing, which announced its shift to Arlington, Virginia in May 2022.
Similarly, Caterpillar, a century-long resident of Deerfield, Illinois, chose to relocate its global headquarters to a suburb of Dallas last year, accentuating the trend of corporate migrations.
