United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is looking to expand the carrier’s presence at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport as part of a wider push to grow its domestic and international network.
Kirby told CNBC that United hopes to establish a larger operation at JFK after returning to the airport through its partnership with JetBlue Airways, potentially as early as next year.
United is exploring several ways to expand, including acquiring takeoff and landing slots from airlines whose JFK operations are not delivering strong returns, according to CNBC.
The carrier is also expected to announce a new batch of international routes this week as United already operates more international flights than any other US airline, but Kirby said he wants to continue expanding overseas.
Kirby also identified South America and the southeastern US as areas where United has room to grow. However, he acknowledged that expanding independently in those markets could be difficult.
United’s efforts to pursue major consolidation have faced setbacks after American Airlines rejected a merger approach earlier this year and Delta Air Lines also turned down discussions.
Kirby has since said United will not participate in consolidation “for any time I can see in the foreseeable future.”
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