Rolls of Continental mechanics at DIA grow by 6, could get bigger.
Ahmad Terry © News © 2006
Andy Everett, a mechanic for Frontier Airlines, cleans a seam on the inlet cowl of an engine on an Airbus jet in August. Frontier has been leasing the lion's share of Continental's 84,000-square-foot hangar at DIA, which was largely empty after Continental drastically reduced its Denver operations in the 1990s. Now, though, Continental is increasing its DIA mechanics crew.By Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News
March 9, 2007
Continental Airlines is bolstering its maintenance operations in Denver a decade after it scaled back dramatically in the city.
The world's fifth-largest carrier said it will bring in six additional line maintenance workers in June and is considering adding "two or three dozen" more at Denver International Airport starting next year.
"Due to increased fleet utilization and the need for additional line check maintenance, Denver is one of a few sites being considered" for the additional workers, said Mary Clark, a spokeswoman for the carrier.
Line workers perform routine checks between flights, scheduled overnight maintenance, nonscheduled work and inspections involving areas as diverse as interior cabins and landing gear. The positions can pay roughly $60,000 to $70,000 annually, industry insiders say.
Houston-based Continental said it has not yet set a date for a decision.
If Continental chooses Denver, the carrier will move some of its maintenance work into an unused portion of its 84,000-square- foot hangar near DIA, Clark said. Frontier currently subleases about two-thirds of the building.
The new maintenance jobs would be a boost for Denver's growing aviation industry, which has been fueled by large commercial airlines and smaller companies developing a new generation of personal jets.
"It's definitely a component that I think will help strengthen the (aviation) market here," said Patty Silverstein, an economist at Development Research Partners. "It utilizes the same skill sets as our light-aircraft manufacturing operations."
Continental, which once was a major carrier in Denver, built its $40 million hangar here before pulling most of its flights and maintenance operations out of the city in the mid-1990s. The carrier still owes $24.8 million for the hangar, or $34.6 million with interest, according to DIA officials.
Observers say new maintenance jobs could lead to more Continental flights here, as the carrier might route additional planes through the city for inspections and checks.
Local economic development officials also say the carrier might have to grow anyway if it wants to compete in this market.
"Continental is going to have to have a greater presence here or they're going to get run out" by heavy competition from United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines, said Tom Clark, president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp.
But a decision by Continental to occupy part of its hangar would cloud the picture for Denver- based Frontier, which had been considering taking over the entire building for its heavy maintenance operations. Frontier also has been weighing whether to build its own hangar - either in the Denver area or elsewhere - as it needs more space to keep up with its growth.
Frontier's sublease on the hangar expired in February, and "we're in a month-to-month situation with them until we make a decision with regards to a maintenance facility," said Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas.
Economic development officials say they hope a Continental decision to move into the hangar doesn't spur Frontier to build in another state.
Continental Airlines in Denver
15 daily departures, primarily to Houston and Newark, N.J.
120 employees, including about 20 line maintenance workers
84,000-square- foot hangar near DIA, two-thirds of which Frontier Airlines subleases
Source: Continental Airlines
Ahmad Terry © News © 2006
Andy Everett, a mechanic for Frontier Airlines, cleans a seam on the inlet cowl of an engine on an Airbus jet in August. Frontier has been leasing the lion's share of Continental's 84,000-square-foot hangar at DIA, which was largely empty after Continental drastically reduced its Denver operations in the 1990s. Now, though, Continental is increasing its DIA mechanics crew.By Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News
March 9, 2007
Continental Airlines is bolstering its maintenance operations in Denver a decade after it scaled back dramatically in the city.
The world's fifth-largest carrier said it will bring in six additional line maintenance workers in June and is considering adding "two or three dozen" more at Denver International Airport starting next year.
"Due to increased fleet utilization and the need for additional line check maintenance, Denver is one of a few sites being considered" for the additional workers, said Mary Clark, a spokeswoman for the carrier.
Line workers perform routine checks between flights, scheduled overnight maintenance, nonscheduled work and inspections involving areas as diverse as interior cabins and landing gear. The positions can pay roughly $60,000 to $70,000 annually, industry insiders say.
Houston-based Continental said it has not yet set a date for a decision.
If Continental chooses Denver, the carrier will move some of its maintenance work into an unused portion of its 84,000-square- foot hangar near DIA, Clark said. Frontier currently subleases about two-thirds of the building.
The new maintenance jobs would be a boost for Denver's growing aviation industry, which has been fueled by large commercial airlines and smaller companies developing a new generation of personal jets.
"It's definitely a component that I think will help strengthen the (aviation) market here," said Patty Silverstein, an economist at Development Research Partners. "It utilizes the same skill sets as our light-aircraft manufacturing operations."
Continental, which once was a major carrier in Denver, built its $40 million hangar here before pulling most of its flights and maintenance operations out of the city in the mid-1990s. The carrier still owes $24.8 million for the hangar, or $34.6 million with interest, according to DIA officials.
Observers say new maintenance jobs could lead to more Continental flights here, as the carrier might route additional planes through the city for inspections and checks.
Local economic development officials also say the carrier might have to grow anyway if it wants to compete in this market.
"Continental is going to have to have a greater presence here or they're going to get run out" by heavy competition from United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines, said Tom Clark, president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp.
But a decision by Continental to occupy part of its hangar would cloud the picture for Denver- based Frontier, which had been considering taking over the entire building for its heavy maintenance operations. Frontier also has been weighing whether to build its own hangar - either in the Denver area or elsewhere - as it needs more space to keep up with its growth.
Frontier's sublease on the hangar expired in February, and "we're in a month-to-month situation with them until we make a decision with regards to a maintenance facility," said Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas.
Economic development officials say they hope a Continental decision to move into the hangar doesn't spur Frontier to build in another state.
Continental Airlines in Denver
15 daily departures, primarily to Houston and Newark, N.J.
120 employees, including about 20 line maintenance workers
84,000-square- foot hangar near DIA, two-thirds of which Frontier Airlines subleases
Source: Continental Airlines
