United Airlines has announced the launch of a wholly owned ground handling subsidiary, United Ground Express, to provide ground handling services including cargo handling at select, smaller airports in the US.

“We saw an opportunity to provide ground handling in smaller locations that have historically been outsourced with a separate entity,” said United spokesman Charles Hobart.

United Ground Express will provide airport ground handling services – including customer service, station operations and ramp and cargo services – at select airports around United’s domestic system starting this fall.