Source: Associated Press

DENVER (AP) – United Airlines, which merged with Continental Airlines in October, is cutting monthly flight schedules at Denver International Airport.

However United spokeswoman Christen David said the airline remains committed to Denver as a hub, and airport Chief Financial Officer Patrick Heck said there's no indication that United is reducing its long-term investment in Denver.

Data from OAG/UBM Aviation show United has scheduled 6.6% fewer average daily departures at the airport next month than in September 2010, about 10% fewer in October, 13.4% fewer in November and 5.6% fewer in December, The Denver Post reported. All figures include flights by United Express? affiliates and Continental.

Earlier this year, United said it would reduce capacity due to rising fuel costs. It also is reducing departures in cities including Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles, but the Denver cuts appear deeper.

United is cutting average daily seat capacity at DIA between 11% and 17% from September to December, according to the OAG/UBM data.

"United still operates over 400 flights per day out of Denver, more than double any other carrier," David said.

Data from BoydGroup International in Evergreen, Colo., show United, minus Continental, operating about 4,000 fewer departures at Denver through the end of this year, compared with the same four-month period last year.

That translates into a capacity cut of about 622,000 United seats through Dec. 31, The Denver Post reported.

"They are shifting some flying to the Continental brand," said aviation consultant Michael Boyd of BoydGroup International. "But that increase still leaves about 450,000 fewer seats net between the two."

Nevertheless, no furloughs are planned for the Denver hub, which has about 4,200 employees. "We're actually recalling furloughed employees and increasing part-timers to full time," David said.

United is the dominant carrier at Denver International Airport, followed by Southwest Airlines and then Frontier Airlines.