United to Take Dulles Gates
Deal With Independence Air Is Subject to Court Approval
United Airlines is planning major moves in the Washington market. Dulles airport is its East Coast hub.
(By M. Spencer Green -- Associated Press)
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Friday, January 27, 2006
United Airlines has a deal with defunct Independence Air to take over the 35 gates that Independence leased in Washington Dulles International Airport's Concourse A, which is used for short commuter flights.
The $4.3 million agreement would further United's planned expansion in the Washington market, enabling the Elk Grove Township, Ill.-based carrier to feed more passengers from commuter flights onto longer-haul West Coast and international flights. The deal is subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.
UAL Corp. Chairman Glenn F. Tilton said this week that he plans to make United's East Coast hub at Dulles a major gateway to Europe, Latin America and South Africa. United also is lining up partners: It recently signed a code-sharing agreement with South African Airways, which operates a one-stop flight from Dulles to Johannesburg.
The acquisition of the Concourse A gates could make life easier for United's short-hop passengers. Now many must take a mobile lounge vehicle, then a bus, to reach United's regional jet terminal in Concourse G. Passengers headed to Concourse A can walk or take a mobile lounge.
Jeff Green, a United spokesman, confirmed the agreement, which Independence Air parent Flyi Inc. outlined in a bankruptcy court filing this week. Green declined comment on whether United would use the gates to expand regional jet service.
Paul D. Leake, a lawyer for Flyi, did not return a call seeking comment.
United's bid for the new gates came in an auction Flyi is holding for its assets. Flyi said in the court filing that United submitted the "highest and best" bid for its Dulles assets. The deal also would give United a walk-in refrigerator and other equipment Flyi used at Dulles.
Independence stopped flying on Jan. 5, citing record fuel prices and unrelenting competition, including that from United.
Flyi has relinquished the eight gates it leased or subleased in Dulles's Concourse B -- used for larger jets -- to the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority, according to Tara Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the authority. JetBlue Airways has taken over three of those gates.
