DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
U.S. airlines' overall work force grew 1.3% in February from a
year earlier, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's
preliminary data.
The industry is in the midst of a recovery as air travel demand
has bounced back from 2009's woeful levels. That is just starting
to translate to net hiring as carriers have looked cautiously at
expanding. Declines in travel during the downturn took a heavy
toll, forcing airlines to take steps to control costs, such as
layoffs.
Total full-time and part-time employment was 570,705 in
February, which also was up from January's 569,786, according to
the department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Among what the Bureau of Transportation Statistics deems "major"
carriers, the passenger airline with the biggest year-to-year
increase was Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. (AAWW), with 15%
more workers compared with a year earlier.
Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) saw its work rolls increase 2%
while JetBlue Airways Corp.'s (JBLU) headcount was 2.6% higher.
-By Nathan Becker, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2855;
nathan.becker@dowjones.com