$32 Million into IAH Stores Expansion
United Invests $32 Million into IAH Stores Expansion
HOUSTON / IAH: United Airlines is planning to expand its Stores operation in Houston, which, when completed, will be the largest Stores facility at the airline. The deal was approved at a City Council meeting on January 11.
Herve Lavenant, United's Managing Director for Logistic Services, said that the new distribution center is integral to the airline's growth strategy. The deal includes a commitment of $32.6 million for property upgrades, $5.4 million for enhancements in personal property, and the creation of job opportunities in the surrounding area.
The plan would see United acquire a massive 500,000-square-foot, 41-acre facility that will handle warehousing and stores operations at Bush Intercontinental Airport and 100 new flights systemwide. According to Stores Committeeman Satchel Thorpe, the airline currently employs about 300 Storekeepers at IAH. The expansion will require an additional 150 employees, bringing the total number of Storekeepers at IAH to 400.
This center, which United is calling a “Global Distribution Hub,” will play a critical role in managing inventory and providing resources for pilots and terminal operations globally.
United has said wages at the facility will average $64,000 a year, which amounts to roughly $30 an hour.
The move comes as the airline is announcing plans to add 40 new domestic flights at IAH, including the resumption of nonstop service between Houston and Ontario and a new service to Fairbanks, Alaska. In total, United is planning to add more than 100 new flights to destinations in the United States and Canada. The Canadian routes will include cities like Calgary, Vancouver, and Halifax. The new routes will be added to various stations across the United network. Over the summer, United expects to have more US-Canada routes than any other US-based carrier.
In a press release, United Senior Vice President Patrick Quayle said that the idea was to streamline the travel process in a way that would allow passengers to stay on United flights and not make multiple connections with airline partners like Air Canada. Service to locations such as Tampa. Miami, Boston, and Charleston are also planned. United’s presence in the Canadian market has grown by 70% since Air Canada’s partnership expanded in 2022.
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United Invests $32 Million into IAH Stores Expansion
30 January 2024
HOUSTON / IAH: United Airlines is planning to expand its Stores operation in Houston, which, when completed, will be the largest Stores facility at the airline. The deal was approved at a City Council meeting on January 11.
Herve Lavenant, United's Managing Director for Logistic Services, said that the new distribution center is integral to the airline's growth strategy. The deal includes a commitment of $32.6 million for property upgrades, $5.4 million for enhancements in personal property, and the creation of job opportunities in the surrounding area.
The plan would see United acquire a massive 500,000-square-foot, 41-acre facility that will handle warehousing and stores operations at Bush Intercontinental Airport and 100 new flights systemwide. According to Stores Committeeman Satchel Thorpe, the airline currently employs about 300 Storekeepers at IAH. The expansion will require an additional 150 employees, bringing the total number of Storekeepers at IAH to 400.
This center, which United is calling a “Global Distribution Hub,” will play a critical role in managing inventory and providing resources for pilots and terminal operations globally.
United has said wages at the facility will average $64,000 a year, which amounts to roughly $30 an hour.
The move comes as the airline is announcing plans to add 40 new domestic flights at IAH, including the resumption of nonstop service between Houston and Ontario and a new service to Fairbanks, Alaska. In total, United is planning to add more than 100 new flights to destinations in the United States and Canada. The Canadian routes will include cities like Calgary, Vancouver, and Halifax. The new routes will be added to various stations across the United network. Over the summer, United expects to have more US-Canada routes than any other US-based carrier.
In a press release, United Senior Vice President Patrick Quayle said that the idea was to streamline the travel process in a way that would allow passengers to stay on United flights and not make multiple connections with airline partners like Air Canada. Service to locations such as Tampa. Miami, Boston, and Charleston are also planned. United’s presence in the Canadian market has grown by 70% since Air Canada’s partnership expanded in 2022.
Related
American Democracy is Working
Sisters and Brothers, As the vote count continues nationwide, one thing is clear—IAM members and voters from coast to coast turned out in record numbers. Despite the pandemic and deliberate barriers to silence our voices, more people voted in this election than any in...
We’ve Stood in Line. We’ve Voted. Now Count Every Vote.
Sisters and Brothers, We must all ensure that each and every voice is heard. Machinists Union members and Americans from coast to coast have overcome a pandemic and other unacceptable barriers to vote in historic numbers. We owe it to each other to count every ballot....
Voting Is An Act of Solidarity
Sisters and Brothers, As I write this, over 93 million Americans have already cast their ballot in this year’s general election. This number represents almost 69% of the total votes cast four years ago, putting our country on track to smash election turnout records...




