United Airlines is closing its Denver reservations center effective Jan. 15.
The move affects 250 employees at the reservations center, including 235 reservations agents represented by the International Association of Machinists and 15 management and salaried employees.
All employees are being offered an opportunity to transfer to United reservations centers in Chicago or Detroit.
“United Airlines is doing what they need to do to emerge from bankruptcy and though 235 jobs is a big hit in my community, the airline is providing opportunities in other areas of their operation,” said Denver City Councilman Michael Hancock in a written statement.
United has closed other reservations centers, including centers in Bloomington, Ind. and in Kent, Wa. earlier this year. Some of those employees were also able to transfer to other facilities and some of the work was outsourced.
The Denver call center is in an aging facility in the Stapleton area that would be expensive to modernize, according to United. United owns the building and will put it up for sale.
United is the largest carrier at Denver International Airport and has about 5,400 employees in the Denver area.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-820-1488 or at kyamanouchi@denverpost.com.
