BTS Releases February Passenger Airline Employment Data; February 2012 Employment Rose 2.1 Percent from February 2011
U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.1 percent more workers in February 2012 than they did in February 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. This is the 15th consecutive month that full-time equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers have been higher than the same month of the previous year. FTE calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the February FTE total of 389,901 for the scheduled passenger carriers was 8,070 more than that of February 2011. The 2.1 percent year-to-year growth rate, although down from the growth rate in the last half of 2011, still reflects the gradual improvement in the industry's employment following declines that began in July 2008. Historical employment data can be found on the BTS web site.
The five network airlines increased employment by 1.2 percent from February 2011 to February 2012 but two airlines reported fewer FTEs. Delta Air Lines, which has been eliminating redundant positions following its merger with Northwest Airlines, reduced FTEs by 1.9 percent. American Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in November, reduced FTEs by 0.9 percent. United Airlines reported 81,693 FTEs in February 2012 in a joint report following the merger with Continental Airlines. The combined report was 4,587 more FTEs or 5.9 percent more than the 77,106 FTEs the two airlines reported separately in February 2011.
Among the seven low-cost carriers, Allegiant Airlines, Virgin America Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines reported an increase in FTEs. AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines were the only low-cost carriers reporting fewer FTEs.
Among the 15 regional carriers, the five carriers reporting reduced employment levels compared to last year were Horizon Airlines, Republic Airlines, Comair, Mesa Airlines and Executive Airlines.
See the Passenger Airline Employment press release for summary tables and additional data.
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