Apart from trained staffing, Airlines are always dependent on robust infrastructure, and Southwest Airlines has done it right by investing in a major infrastructure to support it's long-term vision for its Denver operation with the opening of a new Technical Operations complex at Denver International Airport (DEN).
Price tag of the infrasturucture is $100 million , located on the north side of the Airport , spread over a 130,000 square foot area , and the project got accomplished within a time period of three years !
The project includes a large aircraft maintenance hangar and room for offices, training, and warehousing to support the carrier's Technical Operations Team.
Southwest says , the Infrastructure represents Southwest's continued commitment to Denver by bringing more job opportunities to the community.
The $100 million hangar will be the solution for overnight maintenance activity of Soutwest in the Airport.
Prior to this, Southwest depended on its competitors’ hangars to carry out the unscheduled maintenance at DIA.
Southwest is one of the largest employers in the city with nearly 5,000 People based in Denver.
"As we continue to grow and welcome more Customers at Denver International Airport, we're laser-focused on the work that happens behind-the-scenes that enables us to provide a great Customer experience," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines' President & Chief Operating Officer.
"This new hangar facility is a critical investment that supports our commitment to maintaining a safe, reliable fleet so we can connect our Denver Customers to the people and the places that matter most in their lives."
The new hangar adds an important location within Southwest's network to support scheduled, overnight maintenance of its fleet of nearly 730 Boeing 737 aircraft. The facility includes:
Congratulations to the entire @SouthwestAir team on the opening of their new Technical Operations Facility at DEN! By investing in this hangar, Southwest has proven that DEN remains an important part of the airline's future. We look forward to growing together ❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/YbA7ch6qkB
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 24, 2022
The Technical Operations Team will begin moving into the facility in the coming weeks. The hangar joins six other Southwest Airlines® aircraft maintenance hangars located throughout the country including Atlanta, Chicago (Midway), Dallas (Love Field), Houston (Hobby), Orlando, and Phoenix.
"We're excited to see Southwest Airlines continue to invest in our community and bring high-paying jobs to the region," said Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
"Southwest's support, both at the airport and throughout our city, is what makes Denver a top place to live and work, as well as make it attractive for both business and leisure travelers to come visit the Mile High City."
"Swinerton is grateful to have been a part of the Southwest Airlines Technical Operations Complex Team as the general contractor, working alongside industry experts to bring this state-of-of-the-art hangar from conception to completion," said John Spight, Vice President of Swinerton's Colorado Division.
"We are thrilled to have helped Southwest complete one of the few capital improvement projects it continued with during the pandemic, and to join forces with Southwest as it expands across the nation."
Southwest Airlines will begin moving into the first gates of a 16-gate expansion project on the C concourse within the next few months. Once completed, Southwest will have the ability to use up to 40 gates, the most gates it has at any airport it serves.
With the anticipated growth in the coming years, the airline is doing preliminary work to build larger spaces for its Provisioning , Ground Support Equipment, and Cargo Teams. It is also creating an expanded People Department at DEN, which will support the airline's robust recruiting efforts.
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