United opens Pandora's box: United deal frees up gate space at Denver

[crxpilot]

http://m.usatoday.com/Air_News/931584/

Room to grow: United deal frees up gate space at Denver
11/05/2009 09:13:06
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Denver International has freed up some additional gate space thanks to a deal with United, the airport's dominant carrier. The move also allows United to consolidate gate space with Star Alliance partners Continental and US Airways. The Denver Post writes "early next year, Continental will vacate its three gates on Concourse A and move to three on the west end of B, (airport deputy manager Patrick Heck) said. Similarly, US Airways will depart its two gates on Concourse C and move to two B gates across from Continental."

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The moves are part of an amendment to United's long-term lease at the airport. United will return the five Concourse B gates "to the airport for six years in exchange" for a $12.5 million payment from Denver International, the Post reports.

For the airport, the gates relinquished by Continental and US Airways are expected to give the "gate-constrained" facility some room to accommodate carriers that want to add flights. The Post writes "Southwest Airlines has been steadily taking on more capacity on C for its expanding operation, and the gates that US Airways is leaving might be picked up by Southwest or other carriers, Heck told (Denver city) council members."

Gee, ya think?