Denver International Airport is amending its long-term lease with United Airlines in a way that will return five of United's gates in Concourse B to the airport for six years in exchange for DIA's payment of $12.5 million to United.

DIA plans to lease the B gates to US Airways and Continental Airlines, airport deputy manager Patrick Heck told Denver City Council members Wednesday.

Heck sought and won support from the council's economic-development committee for the deal, which he said will give DIA some breathing room as it weighs adding gate capacity.

In addition to getting the one-time payment of $12.5 million, United is expected to save at least $15 million over the six years from not having to make lease payments on the gates, Heck said.

Lori Fox, a government-relations official for United, said the lease transaction "allows us to use our current assets more efficiently."

Early next year, Continental will vacate its three gates on Concourse A and move to three on the west end of B, Heck said. Similarly, US Airways will depart its two gates on Concourse C and move to two B gates across from Continental.