Without Denver International Airport and United Airlines, Colorado would be a much different state. We should welcome more of each with open arms, as they expand on the plains of northeast Denver.

Without United and DIA, we could not take for granted the fresh seafood and other luxury imports flown in daily from around the globe. Coloradans wouldn’t have direct flights to the U.K., France, Germany, Switzerland, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Belize and nearly 200 other desirable destinations.

Without United, Denver would not have the 7,000-plus high-wage aviation professionals employed locally by the airline.

DIA consistently ranks among the world’s 10 busiest airports by passenger traffic, having reached third place in recent years. For too many reasons to list exhaustively, DIA gives our landlocked region, made up of multiple states, advantages historically enjoyed only by cities and states along the coasts.

The more DIA expands, adding gates and flights, the more Coloradans benefit culturally and economically with travel opportunities, trade and the economic stimuli that result from efficient transportation.

DIA is nothing without the airlines that serve it, so Colorado should welcome and celebrate plans by United — the world’s second-largest airline — to substantially expand operations in Colorado.

DIA is United’s largest hub outside Chicago-O’Hare, and the airline hosts major training and maintenance operations in and around Denver. United and Colorado have had a constructive, mutually beneficial relationship since the airline offered flights to and from Denver Municipal Airport, and later Stapleton Airport, in the 1930s. It is possible we ain’t seen nothing yet.

Development plans filed recently with Denver show the airline might build more than 1 million square feet of office space on 113 acres the company acquired near DIA. Plans show the potential of office space for 6,000 employees. That would be 1,000 more than work at United’s Chicago headquarters, igniting broad speculation the company might move its headquarters to Colorado.

United operates its global Flight Training Center near downtown Denver and has near-certain plans for 60 new flight simulator training center bays near DIA. Airline officials have neither confirmed nor denied speculation about a headquarters move, or establishing a second headquarters in the proposed office space.

“We do not have anything additional to share on our plans for the land we’ve purchased in Denver,” a United spokesperson said via an emailed statement to Fox News Denver. “The land provides United with future options, of which there are no set plans beyond using the land to expand our Flight Training Center capabilities.”

Colorado happily would host United’s headquarters and equally would welcome expansion that creates good jobs and, potentially, more direct flights.

Gov. Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and other Colorado business and political leaders should welcome and accommodate United’s expansion.

Roll out the red carpet and ensure United officials that Colorado remains a business-friendly, flight-friendly state that welcomes great companies that benefit consumers. Within reason, minimize red tape that might obstruct this company’s expansion.

United Airlines, thanks for nearly a century of service to Colorado. For generations into the future, we should fly the friendly skies together. As they say at United, Good Leads the Way!

The Gazette Editorial Board