BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the November FTE total of 389,361 for the scheduled passenger carriers was 10,026 more than that of November 2010. This 12th consecutive monthly increase follows declines that began in July 2008. Historic employment data can be found on the BTS web site.

Of the network airlines, only Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines decreased employment from November 2010 to November 2011. Continental Airlines reported 14.7 percent more FTEs in November 2011 than in November 2010, the largest increase among the network carriers. US Airways followed Continental with a 3.5 percent increase. 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.

All seven low-cost carriers reported more FTEs in November 2011 than in November 2010, except for Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines, which reported a 3.2 percent decrease and a 6.3 percent decrease, respectively. The low-cost carriers with more reported FTEs are Virgin America Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines.

Among the 17 regional carriers, the six carriers reporting reduced employment levels compared to last year were Horizon Airlines, Republic Airlines, Comair, Mesaba Airlines, Mesa Airlines and Colgan Airlines.

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

Carrier Groups: The six network airlines employed 67.6 percent of the scheduled passenger airline total in November, the seven low-cost carriers employed 17.6 percent and the 17 regional carriers employed 13.6 percent.

Top employers by group: Delta employed the most FTEs in November among the network airlines, Southwest employed the most FTEs among low-cost airlines, and American Eagle Airlines employed the most FTEs among regional airlines. Five of the top six employers in the industry are network airlines.

Network Airlines
Recent Trend: The six network airlines employed 6,697 more FTEs in November 2011 than in November 2010. All network carriers except Alaska and Delta increased FTEs from November 2010 to November 2011.

Longer-Trend: The six network airlines employed 19,533 fewer FTEs in November 2011 than in November 2007. United reported the biggest percentage decline in FTE employment from 2007 to 2011, down 16.5 percent, followed by American Airlines, down 9.5 percent and Alaska Airlines down 9.2 percent. November 2011 numbers for Delta are not comparable to 2007 because of the intervening merger.

Low-Cost Airlines
Recent Trend: The seven low-cost airlines' FTEs were up 5.9 percent in November 2011 from November 2010. All low-cost airlines except Allegiant and Frontier reported year-to-year increases.

Longer Trend: The seven low-cost carriers reporting employment data in both 2007 and 2011 employed 10.8 percent more FTEs in November 2011 than in November 2007.  Virgin America reported the largest percentage increase, up 190.0 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 17 regional airlines' FTEs were up 0.6 percent in November 2011 compared to November 2010. GoJet Airlines and Shuttle America reported the largest percentage increases. Comair and Colgan reported the largest percentage decreases.

Longer Trend: The 16 regional carriers reporting employment data in both 2007 and 2011 employed 13.3 percent fewer FTEs in 2011 than in 2007. Comair reported the largest percentage decline followed by Mesa and Mesaba Airlines.

Compass Airlines reported the biggest four-year percentage gain followed by GoJet Airlines. Effective with January 2010 reporting, Republic's 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 and the Far East.

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

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