United Airlines has opened a new widebody aircraft maintenance hangar at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, US.

Built with an investment of $35m, the new hangar will support the airline’s widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350-XWB, which will enter service in 2018.

The 90,000ft² hangar also boosts airline’s maintenance capability for widebody aircraft by 33% at the airport.

United Airlines technical operations senior vice-president Ken Burtt said: "This state-of-the-art hangar underscores United’s commitment to the city of Newark, the state of New Jersey and the region.

"The facility will be an asset to our operation, helping us improve the reliability of our aircraft."

"The facility will be an asset to our operation, helping us improve the reliability of our aircraft, maintain the highest levels of safety, and provide a superior workplace for our employees.".

The construction of the hangar involved 600 local workers, resulting in a significant economic impact on the region, according to the company.

Port Authority deputy executive director Deb Gramiccioni said: "United Airlines’ investment of nearly $35m in its new 21st century hangar at Newark Liberty International Airport is further evidence of the carrier’s longstanding commitment to New Jersey.

"The Port Authority is especially pleased this widebody aircraft hangar is designed to serve larger aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the newer generation of planes for our passengers."

The opening of the new hangar comes few months after the completion of the construction of the company’s 125,000ft² maintenance hangar at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

The two new hangars have significantly increased United Airline’s maintenance capabilities on the East Coast.

United has a workforce of more than 3,000 in the New York metropolitan area, with 700 dedicated to technical operations and maintenance at Newark Liberty Airport.