United Airlines has launched a subsidiary that will manage its ground-handling services at select airports,

particularly smaller airports with United Express service, the carrier announced Monday. United Ground Express will provide customer service, station operations and ramp and cargo services at certain U.S. airports beginning in the fall. For smaller airports with United Express flights, at which United had until now outsourced such services, the subsidiary will improve alignment of service with that of United’s mainline flights, according to the carrier. The service will launch at Kalamazoo, Mich., for example, Dec. 9.