Baggage Delays For United Express At DIA

Jan. 5, 2015
Weather delays, cancellations and holiday travel, combined with a Menzies subsidiary new on the job, all are contributing to the delays.

United Express has major baggage these days – literally, physically.

Passengers on United Express flights into Denver International Airport said there are major issues with the airline’s baggage handling, with some waiting hours to retrieve their checked luggage during this busy travel week.

In September, United Airlines announced its contract with SkyWest Airlines for the majority of its United Express below-wing ground baggage handling at DIA would end, resulting in a job loss for about 650 Denver workers.

SkyWest, which held the contract for nine years, was replaced effective Dec. 4 by Simplicity Ground, a subsidiary of United Kingdom-based Menzies.

Airline spokesman Charles Hobart said weather delays, cancellations and holiday travel, combined with Simplicity being new on the job, all are contributing to the delays.