DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
U.S. airlines' overall work force edged up 0.2% in October from
a year earlier, according to the U.S. Department of
Transportation's preliminary data, the first such growth since June
2008.
The industry is in the midst of a recovery as air travel demand
has bounced from woeful prior-year levels, but that hadn't yet
translated to widespread hiring as carriers have looked cautiously
at expanding. Declines in travel during the economic downturn took
a heavy toll, forcing airlines to take steps, such as layoffs, to
control costs.
On a monthly basis, total full-time and part-time employment was
563,992 in October, down from September's 564,221, according to the
department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Among carriers with at least $1 billion in annual revenue, Delta
Air Lines Inc. (DAL) continued its run as the passenger airline
with the biggest year-on-year increase, employing 54% more people
following its merger with Northwest. Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings
Inc.'s (AAWW) work rolls rose 16% while Republic Airways Holdings
Inc.'s (RJET) Frontier was up 15%.
Discount carrier Southwest Airlines Co.'s (LUV) employment edged
up 0.8% while rival JetBlue Airways Corp. (JBLU) had 3.7% more
workers.
-By Matt Jarzemsky, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2240;
matthew.jarzemsky@dowjones.com