United Airlines has begun construction of a new Ground Service Equipment (GSE) maintenance facility at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and has opened a technical training center for maintenance operations, the airline announced on Tuesday.
The project involves a $177 million investment in the GSE maintenance center, which will span 13,000 square meters and is scheduled to be operational by 2027. United says the facility will support over 1,800 ground service vehicles, allowing a team of more than 130 technicians to perform critical tasks such as battery charging, metal part fabrication, and electronic systems monitoring in a modernized infrastructure.
At the same time, United inaugurated a new 91,000-square-foot Technical Operations Training Center, with an investment of $16 million. The center features training workshops in metal and composite materials, desktop simulators, and hands-on instruction for engine maintenance and inspection.
“With these new facilities, we’re enhancing our ability to maintain a top-tier fleet while empowering our employees with cutting-edge tools and training,” said Phil Griffith, United’s Vice President of Airport Operations. “This investment reflects our long-term vision for Houston as a key hub and our commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and growth,” he added.
According to the airline, the training center also includes a new $6.3 million Move Team Facility, which supports more than 15 aircraft towing vehicles (Super Tugs) operating across the airport.
United states that the new GSE center will double the size of its current 40-year-old facility, and is designed to meet LEED Silver sustainability standards. It will offer 25% more repair space, 60% more workshop capacity, 80% more storage, and 50% more shared common areas.
Maria Deacon, United’s Senior Vice President of Technical Operations, said: “With the opening of our Tech Ops Training Center, we’re setting a new industry standard for specialized training. Beginning construction on a new GSE facility will transform our ability to maintain this fleet for decades to come.”
United also notes that it already operates more than 1,100 electric ground service equipment (eGSE) units in Houston—its largest electrified fleet—helping reduce both maintenance needs and emissions.
Since 2015, United has invested more than $3.5 billion in facilities in Houston, including the planned renovation of Terminal B by 2026, which will add 40 new gates for larger aircraft and a new United Club—the largest in its network.
In terms of employment, the company hired over 2,100 people in 2023 and added another 600 workers in 2024. The current project is expected to generate approximately 4,000 construction jobs. A study by Compass Lexecon indicates that United’s direct operations in Houston contribute over $1.2 billion annually to the local economy.
AUTOR
Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline.
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