We love to speculate in this country, and
speculation ran rampant that United Airlines was looking to move headquarters
from Chicago to Denver after numerous trips by CEO Scott Kirby to the western
hub.
The rumors
were fueled when United bought a parcel of land near Denver International
Airport.
Speculate no more.
United Airlines has submitted plans to
build flight simulators at a 113-acre parcel near the Denver airport.
The facility, which United hopes to open
by 2027, will house 12 simulators, with plans officially submitted to the city
last month. A nationwide pilot shortage has existed
for years, leading officials to say “an immediate need exists to establish a new simulator building.”
United
paid $33 million for the parcel of land.
This
would be an expansion of an existing flight training simulation facility opened
by the airline, with United currently boasting 44 simulators in Denver. The
airline said the existing simulators have reached capacity, hence the need for
a new building.
“The complete implementation of Phase 1 is projected to extend beyond 2027,
including additional flight training facilities and associated ancillary uses,”
the plan document read.
"Concurrently, alongside the FTC, United is actively investigating
programmatic needs to support corporate campus activity accommodating 5,000
employees in future phases of the project," the plans continued.
United
previously said it has big
plans to grow in Denver.
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