NORTH OLMSTED, OH. – CommutAir, a Vermont-based regional airline carrier operating as United Express, announced today that it plans to consolidate its administrative functions at Great Northern Corporate Center in North Olmsted, where the company expects to operate its corporate headquarters and expand its administrative staff.
CommutAir has entered into new agreements with United Airlines, under which it expects to triple its operations and lay the groundwork for future growth. The company currently has 138 employees in North Olmsted and intends to grow to 217 employees at its new headquarters by the end of 2020. CommutAir also expects to require additional office space beyond the 18,000 square feet it currently leases at 24950 Country Club Blvd. to accommodate the additional headcount.
“I am thrilled that CommutAir has made this decision to expand in North Olmsted,” Mayor Kevin Kennedy said. “We have a major corporate headquarters just down the street. Now this second corporate headquarters will create new jobs and many additional benefits to our local economy.”
“CommutAir is rapidly expanding to fly its new jet contract for United Airlines – hiring pilots, mechanics and other employees throughout our network,” said Subodh Karnik, CommutAir President & CEO. “North Olmsted has worked closely with us to provide an attractive environment and infrastructure to consolidate our corporate headquarters and administrative functions. We plan to create new headquarters jobs here to support our growth.”
CommutAir is a regional airline carrier operating throughout the eastern U.S. as United Express. The company was established in 1989 and as of June 2016 flew 21 Bombardier turboprop aircraft. In 2016, United Airlines purchased a minority (40%) investment in CommutAir and contracted with CommutAir to operate 40 Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets. In 2017, CommutAir announced a memorandum of understanding, to operate an additional 21 ERJ-145’s for United, tripling its previous size.
The City of North Olmsted is providing a local job creation grant to help the company’s significant expansion in the city. “We are happy to partner with CommutAir on this important project. However you look at it, North Olmsted comes out on top,” said Kennedy.
The company’s application to receive an Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit (JCTC) is planned for consideration by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority.