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 industrys employment following declines that began in July 2008. Historical employment data can be found on the BTS website.

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.
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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.

Scheduled passenger airline categories include network, low-cost, regional and other airlines.

Carrier Groups: The five network airlines employed 67.4 percent of the scheduled passenger airline total in February, the seven low-cost carriers employed 17.8 percent and the 15 regional carriers employed 13.5 percent. The three airlines with the most FTEs in February � United, Delta and American � employed 57 percent of the total passenger airline FTEs. The 2011 to 2012 increases for all carrier groups result from the relatively consistent profits for most of the industry. 

Top employers by group: The newly-merged United employed the most FTEs in February among the network airlines, Southwest employed the most FTEs among low-cost airlines, and American Eagle Airlines employed the most FTEs among regional airlines. Four of the top five employers in the industry are network airlines.

Southwest employed 37,814 fewer workers than Delta in February despite carrying the most passengers, according to the BTS January air traffic press release. Delta, which carried the second-most passengers, likely had more FTEs because of its large number of international flights.

Network Airlines

Recent Trend: The network airlines employed 3,243 more FTEs in February 2012 than in February 2011. Two of the four network carriers increased FTEs from February 2011 to February 2012. February 2012 numbers for United are not comparable to 2011 because of the intervening merger.

Five-Year Trend: The network airlines employed 19,839 fewer FTEs in February 2012 than in February 2008. American Airlines reported the biggest percentage decline in FTE employment from 2008 to 2012, down 10.6 percent, followed by Alaska Airlines down 9.4 percent. February 2012 numbers for United and Delta are not directly comparable to 2008 because of the intervening mergers. United reported 8.0 percent fewer FTEs than United and Continental reported separately in February 2008 and Delta and Northwest reported 2.1 percent fewer.

Network airlines operate a significant portion of flights using at least one hub where connections are made for flights to down-line destinations or spoke cities.

Low-Cost Airlines

Recent Trend: The seven low-cost airlines FTEs were up 6.4 percent in February 2012 from February 2011. All low-cost airlines except AirTran and Frontier reported year-to-year increases.

Five-Year Trend: The seven low-cost carriers reporting employment data in both 2008 and 2012 employed 11.5 percent more FTEs in February 2012 than in February 2008. Virgin America reported the largest percentage increase, up 178.4 percent but Frontier and AirTran reported declines.

Low-cost airlines are those that the industry recognizes as operating under a low-cost business model, with lower infrastructure and aircraft operating costs.

Regional Airlines

Recent Trend: The regional airlines FTEs were up 0.8 percent in February 2012 compared to February 2011. GoJet Airlines and Shuttle America report the largest percentage increases in FTEs from February 2011 to February 2012 among airlines not involved in mergers. Comair and Executive reported the largest percentage decreases. Atlantic Southeast Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines reported separately in February 2011 as did Pinnacle Airlines and Mesaba Airlines while their reports were combined in February 2012.

Five-Year Trend: The 14 regional carriers reporting employment data in both 2008 and 2012 employed 0.5 percent fewer FTEs in 2012 than in 2008. Comair reported the largest percentage decline followed by Horizon and Mesa. Compass Airlines reported the biggest four-year percentage gain. Effective with January 2011 reporting, Republics employment numbers include FTEs from Midwest Airlines. Midwest employment data were formerly included in the �Other Airlines� category.

Regional carriers typically provide service from small cities, using primarily regional jets to support the network carriers hub and spoke systems.

Reporting Notes

Airlines that operate at least one aircraft with the capacity to carry combined passengers, cargo and fuel of 18,000 pounds � the payload factor � must report monthly employment statistics.

The Other Carrier category generally reflects those airlines that operate within specific niche markets such as Hawaiian Airlines serving the Hawaiian Islands. 

Data are compiled from monthly reports filed with BTS by commercial air carriers as of April 19. Additional airline employment data can be found on the BTS website. BTS has scheduled release of March 2012 passenger airline employment data for May 29.
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Media Contact:
Dave Smallen
202-366-5568

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