BTS 53-07
Friday, November 16, 2007
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel.: (202) 366-5568
BTS Releases September Passenger Airline Employment Data;
September 2007 Employment Up 3.0 Percent from September 2006
U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 3.0 percent more workers in September
2007 than in September 2006, the eighth consecutive increase in full-time
equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers
from the same month of the previous year, the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today (Table
2). FTE calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA),
reported that the network airlines, a group that includes most of the industry’s
largest passenger carriers, reported more FTEs than the prior year for the fifth
consecutive month after having reduced FTEs continuously since 9/11 (Table 1).
Adding FTEs from September 2006 to September 2007 were network carriers
Continental Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, US Airways and American
Airlines (Table 9), all of the low-cost carriers except ATA Airlines (Table 12),
and regional carriers American Eagle Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet
Airlines, Comair, Horizon Air, Pinnacle Airlines, Mesaba Airlines, Air
Wisconsin, Executive Airlines, Trans States Airlines, Republic Airlines and
GoJet Airlines (Table 15).
Scheduled passenger airlines include network, low-cost, regional and other
airlines. Many regional carriers were not required to report employment numbers
before 2003, so year-to-year comparisons involving regional carriers, or the
total industry, are not available for the years before 2003.
The 416,000 FTEs employed by the industry in September was the most in any month
since August 2005 (Table 3). The seven network carriers employed 269,000 FTEs in
September, 64.6 percent of the passenger airline total, while low-cost carriers
employed 17.9 percent and regional carriers employed 14.5 percent (Table 4).
American Airlines employed the most FTEs in September among the network
carriers, Southwest Airlines employed the most among low-cost carriers, and
SkyWest employed the most among regional carriers. Seven of the top 10 employers
in the industry are network carriers (Table 6).
Network Airlines
Network carrier FTEs increased 1.8 percent in September 2007 compared to
September 2006, the fifth consecutive monthly gain from the same month of the
previous year. Prior to the May increase, the network group had reduced FTEs
from the previous year every month since September 2001 (Table 7).
Five network carriers increased FTEs from September 2006 to September 2007. They
were: Delta up 8.7 percent, US Airways up 6.3 percent, Continental up 4.4
percent, Alaska up 3.4 percent and American up 0.4 percent. The largest FTE
decrease was reported by Northwest Airlines, down 5.4 percent (Table 9).
Collectively, the seven network carriers reduced their FTE headcount by 12.6
percent, or 39,000 FTEs, from September 2003 to September 2007. Network carrier
FTEs dropped from 308,000 to 269,000 during the four-year period (Table 8).
FTEs at six network carriers declined in September 2007 from September 2003. The
exception was Continental with a 3.6 percent increase over September 2003. The
biggest percentage decline was at Northwest, down 23.0 percent, a reduction of
8,700 FTEs, followed by US Airways at 22.4 percent. The other FTE decreases
during that time were Delta, down 17.4 percent; United Airlines, down 12.5
percent; American, down 9.3 percent; and Alaska, down 2.9 percent (Table 9).
America West Airlines and US Airways reported employment data separately in
September because the carriers held two operating certificates despite their
merged business operations. They are now operating under a single certificate
and will begin reporting data jointly later this year.
Low-Cost Airlines
Low-cost carrier FTEs rose 6.0 percent in September 2007 compared to September
2006, the 12th consecutive increase after 18 consecutive monthly decreases from
the previous year and the 6th consecutive increase of more than 5.0 percent
(Table 10).
All the low-cost carriers had FTE increases from September 2006 to September
2007 except ATA, down 4.5 percent. AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines
reported increases of more than 12.0 percent (Table 12).
Low-cost carrier FTEs were 70,700 in September 2003, 70,300 in September 2006
and 74,500 in September 2007. The rise from 2003 to 2007 was 5.3 percent (Table
11). The 2003 to 2007 increase would be 12.0 percent if the 2003 employment data
are excluded for Independence Air, which discontinued all flights on Jan. 5,
2006 (Table 12).
Employment data for Independence, which changed its business model from a
regional to low-cost carrier in mid-2004, have been included with low-cost
carriers for 2004 and 2005 for consistency.
Low-cost carriers are those that the industry recognizes as operating under a
low-cost business model, with fewer infrastructure costs and greater
expectations of productivity. Two new low-cost carriers, SkyBus and Virgin
America, began reporting employment data in August. SkyBus reported 295 FTEs in
September and Virgin America reported 566 FTEs (Table 12).
Regional Airlines
Regional carrier FTEs were up 5.2 percent in September 2007 compared to
September 2006 (Table 13).
SkyWest and Republic reported the largest increases in the group. SkyWest, with
9,966 FTEs, the most of any regional carrier, employed 17.4 percent more FTEs in
September 2007 than September 2006, while Republic employed 85.0 percent more
(Table 15).
Regional carrier FTEs rose from 55,200 in September 2004 to 60,400 in September
2007, an increase of 9.4 percent (Table 14).
The 10 regional carriers reporting employment data in both 2003 and 2007
employed 19.9 percent more FTEs in September 2007 than in September 2003. Of
that group, SkyWest reported the biggest gain, 86.5 percent, followed by
ExpressJet at 39.2 percent and American Eagle at 27.9 percent. Atlantic
Southeast Airlines, Air Wisconsin, Mesaba Airlines, and Executive Airlines
reported fewer FTEs in September 2007 than September 2003 (Table 15).
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 Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines in serving
the Hawaiian Islands.
Data are compiled from monthly reports filed with BTS by commercial air carriers
as of Nov. 6.
Additional airline employment data can be found on the BTS website at
http://www.bts.gov/programs/airline_information/number_of_employees/.
BTS has scheduled release of September airline employment data for Dec. 18.
Table 1: Change in Passenger Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* from the Previous Year
Percent change compared to same month the previous year for the most recent 13 months
Month |
Network Carriers (Pct. Change) From Table 7 |
Low-Cost Carriers** (Pct. Change) From Table 10 |
Regional Carriers (Pct. Change) From Table13 |
All Passenger Airlines*** (Pct. Change) From Table 2 |
Sept. 2005-Sept. 2006 |
-4.1 |
-0.4 |
-0.3 |
-2.7 |
Oct. 2005-Oct. 2006 |
-4.0 |
0.8 |
0.6 |
-2.3 |
Nov. 2005-Nov. 2006 |
-3.4 |
0.9 |
2.4 |
-1.6 |
Dec. 2005-Dec. 2006 |
-2.9 |
1.4 |
3.4 |
-0.9 |
Jan. 2006-Jan. 2007 |
-2.6 |
4.5 |
3.0 |
-0.4 |
Feb. 2006-Feb. 2007 |
-2.2 |
5.0 |
5.9 |
0.4 |
Mar 2006-Mar 2007 |
-1.4 |
4.4 |
5.6 |
0.7 |
Apr. 2006-Apr. 2007 |
-0.7 |
5.7 |
5.6 |
1.4 |
May 2006-May 2007 |
0.3 |
5.3 |
7.2 |
2.2 |
June 2006-June 2007 |
1.3 |
5.3 |
5.1 |
2.5 |
July 2006-July 2007 |
1.5 |
5.9 |
4.8 |
2.8 |
Aug. 2006-Aug. 2007 |
1.5 |
5.3 |
4.9 |
2.6 |
Sept. 2006-Sept. 2007 |
1.8 |
6.0 |
5.2 |
3.0 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
**Employment numbers in 2005 for Independence Air, which changed its business model from a regional to low-cost carrier in mid-2004, are included with low-cost carriers. The airline discontinued flights on Jan. 5, 2006.
*** Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers. Other Carriers generally operate within specific niche markets. They are: Allegiant Air, Aloha Airlines, Boston-Maine Airways, Casino Express Airlines, Continental Micronesia, Eos Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and USA3000 Airlines.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 2: Change in Total Passenger Airline* Full-time Equivalent Employees** from the Previous Year
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
Month |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
January |
-5.6 |
-0.8 |
-6.0 |
-0.4 |
February |
-5.3 |
-1.4 |
-5.8 |
0.4 |
March |
-4.1 |
-1.9 |
-5.4 |
0.7 |
April |
-2.3 |
-3.1 |
-4.6 |
1.4 |
May |
-0.8 |
-3.5 |
-5.0 |
2.2 |
June |
0.5 |
-3.8 |
-4.8 |
2.5 |
July |
2.5 |
-3.5 |
-5.9 |
2.8 |
August |
2.2 |
-5.8 |
-3.1 |
2.6 |
September |
2.4 |
-5.8 |
-2.6 |
3.0 |
October |
2.5 |
-6.0 |
-2.3 |
|
November |
2.2 |
-6.5 |
-1.6 |
|
December |
0.9 |
-5.9 |
-0.9 |
|
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.
** Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 3: Total Passenger Airline* Full-time Equivalent Employees** by Month
Numbers in thousands (000’s)
Month |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Percent Change |
|
2003-2007 |
2006-2007 |
||||||
January |
465.7 |
435.0 |
431.5 |
405.7 |
404.3 |
-13.2% |
-0.4% |
February |
459.4 |
435.0 |
428.9 |
404.5 |
406.0 |
-11.6% |
0.4% |
March |
454.3 |
435.9 |
427.7 |
405.1 |
408.0 |
-10.2% |
0.7% |
April |
448.2 |
437.8 |
424.1 |
404.5 |
410.2 |
-8.5% |
1.4% |
May |
443.2 |
439.6 |
424.4 |
403.6 |
412.4 |
-6.9% |
2.2% |
June |
438.9 |
440.9 |
424.3 |
403.8 |
414.0 |
-5.7% |
2.5% |
July |
433.2 |
444.1 |
428.5 |
403.3 |
414.6 |
-4.3% |
2.8% |
August |
433.3 |
443.0 |
417.5 |
404.7 |
415.2 |
-4.2% |
2.6% |
September |
429.6 |
440.0 |
414.5 |
403.7 |
416.0 |
-3.2% |
3.0% |
October |
428.3 |
439.1 |
412.7 |
403.3 |
|
|
|
November |
429.9 |
439.5 |
411.0 |
404.5 |
|
|
|
December |
430.2 |
434.0 |
408.8 |
405.0 |
|
|
|
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.
** Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
Note: Percent changes and averages based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 4: Total Number of Full-time Equivalent Employees* (FTEs) by Carrier Group, September 2003-2007
FTE Numbers in thousands (000’s)
|
Network |
Low-Cost |
Regional |
All Passenger Airlines** |
2003 |
307.6 |
70.7 |
41.7 |
429.6 |
2004 |
302.4 |
71.3 |
55.2 |
440.0 |
2005 |
275.4 |
70.6 |
57.6 |
414.5 |
2006 |
264.0 |
70.3 |
57.4 |
403.7 |
2007 |
268.8 |
74.5 |
60.4 |
416.0 |
Pct. Change 2003-2007*** |
1.8 |
5.3 |
5.2 |
3.0 |
Percent of Total Passenger Airline Employees in 2007 |
64.6% |
17.9% |
14.5% |
|
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.
*** Percent change comparison for regional airlines and for all passenger airlines is for 2004 to 2007 because of the number of airlines in these categories that did not meet the standard for reporting monthly employment numbers.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 5: Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Carrier Group, Year-to-Year Change, September 2003-2007
Percent Change from the previous year
|
Network |
Low-Cost |
Regional** |
All Passenger Airlines*** |
2003 |
-16.5 |
8.9 |
66.5 |
-8.3 |
2004 |
-1.7 |
0.7 |
32.4 |
2.4 |
2005 |
-8.9 |
-1.0 |
4.3 |
-5.8 |
2006 |
-4.1 |
-0.4 |
-0.3 |
-2.6 |
2007 |
1.8 |
6.0 |
5.2 |
3.0 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** Many regional carriers were not required to report employment numbers before 2003, so year-to-year comparisons involving regional carriers, or the total industry, are not appropriate for the years before 2003.
*** Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 6: Top 10 Airlines, September 2007
Ranked by Number of Full-Time Equivalent Employees*
Rank |
Airline |
Total FTE Employees (000) |
Carrier Group |
September 2006 Rank |
September 2005 Rank |
1 |
American |
73.2 |
Network |
1 |
1 |
2 |
United |
52.1 |
Network |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Delta |
48.3 |
Network |
3 |
3 |
4 |
Continental |
35.8 |
Network |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Southwest |
33.8 |
Low Cost |
5 |
6 |
6 |
Northwest |
29.2 |
Network |
6 |
4 |
7 |
US Airways |
20.4 |
Network |
7 |
7 |
8 |
America West |
12.4 |
Low Cost |
8 |
8 |
9 |
SkyWest |
10.0 |
Regional |
12 |
11 |
10 |
Alaska |
9.7 |
Network |
10 |
10 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
Table 7: Network Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* Change from
the Previous Year
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
Month |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
January |
-12.5 |
-4.1 |
-8.1 |
-2.6 |
February |
-11.0 |
-4.6 |
-7.8 |
-2.2 |
March |
-8.7 |
-5.0 |
-7.4 |
-1.4 |
April |
-6.6 |
-6.5 |
-6.7 |
-0.7 |
May |
-4.9 |
-6.6 |
-7.0 |
0.3 |
June |
-3.6 |
-7.0 |
-6.8 |
1.3 |
July |
-2.0 |
-5.9 |
-8.1 |
1.5 |
August |
-1.7 |
-9.0 |
-4.7 |
1.5 |
September |
-1.7 |
-8.9 |
-4.1 |
1.8 |
October |
-1.4 |
-8.9 |
-4.0 |
|
November |
-1.8 |
-9.3 |
-3.4 |
|
December |
-3.5 |
-8.5 |
-2.9 |
|
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 8: Network Carrier Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month
Numbers in thousands (000’s)
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Percent Change |
|
2003-2007 |
2006-2007 |
||||||
January |
348.7 |
305.1 |
292.7 |
269.1 |
262.0 |
-24.9 |
-2.6 |
February |
342.3 |
304.7 |
290.9 |
268.2 |
262.4 |
-23.3 |
-2.2 |
March |
333.8 |
304.6 |
289.3 |
267.8 |
264.1 |
-20.9 |
-1.4 |
April |
327.2 |
305.6 |
285.8 |
266.6 |
264.8 |
-19.1 |
-0.7 |
May |
321.9 |
306.0 |
285.8 |
265.8 |
266.6 |
-17.2 |
0.3 |
June |
317.5 |
306.1 |
284.8 |
265.3 |
268.6 |
-15.4 |
1.3 |
July |
312.5 |
306.3 |
288.2 |
264.9 |
268.7 |
-14.0 |
1.5 |
August |
310.6 |
305.3 |
277.8 |
264.8 |
268.8 |
-13.5 |
1.5 |
September |
307.6 |
302.4 |
275.4 |
264.0 |
268.8 |
-12.6 |
1.8 |
October |
305.3 |
300.9 |
274.1 |
263.0 |
|
|
|
November |
305.7 |
300.2 |
272.4 |
263.0 |
|
|
|
December |
306.2 |
295.7 |
270.6 |
262.9 |
|
|
|
Monthly Average |
324.7 |
305.1 |
285.6 |
266.3 |
|
|
|
Jan-Sept Average |
320.0 |
303.6 |
282.3 |
265.5 |
266.1 |
-16.8 |
0.2 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
Note: Percent changes and averages based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 9: Network Carrier Full-time Equivalent Employees*, September 2003-2007
(Ranked by September 2007 FTEs)
Numbers in thousands (000’s)
Rank |
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Percent Change |
|
2003-2007 |
2006-2007 |
|||||||
1 |
American |
80.7 |
79.2 |
75.5 |
72.9 |
73.2 |
-9.3 |
0.4 |
2 |
United |
59.6 |
58.4 |
53.9 |
52.9 |
52.1 |
-12.5 |
-1.5 |
3 |
Delta |
58.5 |
57.2 |
50.7 |
44.4 |
48.3 |
-17.4 |
8.7 |
4 |
Continental |
34.6 |
34.5 |
32.6 |
34.3 |
35.8 |
3.6 |
4.4 |
5 |
Northwest |
38.0 |
37.5 |
33.0 |
30.9 |
29.2 |
-23.0 |
-5.4 |
6 |
US Airways |
26.3 |
25.7 |
20.7 |
19.2 |
20.4 |
-22.4 |
6.3 |
7 |
Alaska |
10.0 |
9.8 |
9.0 |
9.4 |
9.7 |
-2.9 |
3.4 |
|
|
307.6 |
302.4 |
275.4 |
264.0 |
268.8 |
-12.6 |
1.8 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Note: Detail may not add to total due to rounding
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 10: Change in Low-Cost Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* from
the Previous Year
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
Month |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
January |
8.4 |
0.5 |
-5.3 |
4.5 |
February |
6.9 |
0.6 |
-4.1 |
5.0 |
March |
0.5 |
0.0 |
-3.0 |
4.4 |
April |
0.6 |
-0.7 |
-2.2 |
5.7 |
May |
0.8 |
-1.0 |
-2.1 |
5.3 |
June |
1.5 |
-1.2 |
-2.0 |
5.3 |
July |
2.3 |
-1.5 |
-2.6 |
5.9 |
August |
1.1 |
-0.7 |
-0.8 |
5.3 |
September |
0.7 |
-1.0 |
-0.4 |
6.0 |
October |
-0.2 |
-1.2 |
0.8 |
|
November |
0.5 |
-2.5 |
0.9 |
|
December |
0.5 |
-1.4 |
1.4 |
|
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
Note: Employment numbers in 2004 and 2005 for Independence Air, which changed its business model from a regional to low-cost carrier in mid-2004, are included with low-cost carriers. The airline discontinued flights on Jan. 5, 2006.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 11: Low-Cost Carrier Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month
Numbers in thousands (000’s)
|
2003** |
2004** |
2005** |
2006 |
2007*** |
Percent Change |
|
2003-2007 |
2006-2007 |
||||||
January |
65.7 |
71.2 |
71.6 |
67.8 |
70.8 |
7.8 |
4.5 |
February |
65.9 |
70.5 |
70.9 |
68.0 |
71.4 |
8.3 |
5.0 |
March |
70.5 |
70.8 |
70.8 |
69.7 |
71.7 |
1.7 |
4.4 |
April |
70.6 |
71.0 |
70.3 |
68.9 |
72.8 |
3.2 |
5.7 |
May |
70.7 |
71.3 |
70.5 |
69.1 |
72.7 |
2.9 |
5.3 |
June |
70.6 |
71.7 |
70.8 |
69.4 |
73.1 |
3.5 |
5.3 |
July |
70.7 |
72.4 |
71.3 |
69.4 |
73.5 |
3.9 |
5.9 |
August |
70.8 |
71.6 |
71.1 |
70.5 |
74.2 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
September |
70.7 |
71.3 |
70.6 |
70.3 |
74.5 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
October |
71.3 |
71.2 |
70.4 |
70.9 |
|
|
|
November |
71.9 |
72.3 |
70.5 |
71.1 |
|
|
|
December |
71.3 |
71.6 |
70.6 |
71.6 |
|
|
|
Monthly Average |
69.6 |
71.3 |
70.9 |
69.2 |
|
|
|
Jan-Sept Average |
70.1 |
71.4 |
70.8 |
69.7 |
72.8 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** Employment numbers in 2004 and 2005 for Independence Air, which changed its business model from a regional to low-cost carrier in mid-2004, are included with low-cost carriers. The airline discontinued flights on Jan. 5, 2006.
Note: Percent changes and averages based on numbers prior to rounding.
Note: Detail may not add to total due to rounding.
Table 12: Low-Cost Carrier Full-time Equivalent Employees,* September 2003-2007
(Ranked by September 2007 FTEs)
Rank |
|
2003 |
2004** |
2005** |
2006 |
2007 |
Percent Change |
|
2003-2007 |
2006-2007 |
|||||||
1 |
Southwest |
32,563 |
30,657 |
31,382 |
32,144 |
33,787 |
3.8 |
5.1 |
2 |
America West |
10,907 |
11,456 |
11,769 |
12,366 |
12,380 |
13.5 |
0.1 |
3 |
JetBlue |
4,800 |
6,256 |
7,885 |
9,620 |
9,653 |
101.1 |
0.3 |
4 |
AirTran |
5,232 |
5,637 |
6,302 |
7,179 |
8,092 |
54.7 |
12.7 |
5 |
Frontier |
3,173 |
4,068 |
4,097 |
4,518 |
5,206 |
64.1 |
15.2 |
6 |
ATA |
7,580 |
6,545 |
4,097 |
2,500 |
2,387 |
-68.5 |
-4.5 |
7 |
Spirit |
2,299 |
2,330 |
2,023 |
1,989 |
2,143 |
-6.8 |
7.7 |
8 |
Virgin America |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
566 |
N/A |
N/A |
9 |
SkyBus |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
295 |
N/A |
N/A |
10 |
Independence |
4,187 |
4,321 |
3,020 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
70,741 |
71,270 |
70,575 |
70,316 |
74,509 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
**Employment numbers in 2004 and 2005 for Independence Air, which changed its business model from a regional to low-cost carrier in mid-2004, are included with low-cost carriers. The carrier did not meet the standard for filing in previous years. The airline discontinued flights on Jan. 5, 2006.
N/A: Not applicable because carriers did not meet the standard for filing.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Note: Detail may not add to total due to rounding.
Table 13: Change in Regional Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* from
the Previous Year
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
|
2004** |
2005*** |
2006 |
2007 |
January |
16.3 |
15.5 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
February |
17.3 |
14.3 |
1.1 |
5.9 |
March |
21.6 |
13.7 |
0.5 |
5.6 |
April |
21.7 |
12.6 |
0.6 |
5.6 |
May |
23.3 |
11.1 |
-0.6 |
7.2 |
June |
24.9 |
11.0 |
-1.6 |
5.1 |
July |
33.0 |
6.0 |
-0.8 |
4.8 |
August |
31.6 |
5.1 |
-1.0 |
4.9 |
September |
32.4 |
4.3 |
-0.3 |
5.2 |
October |
33.0 |
2.7 |
0.6 |
|
November |
31.0 |
2.1 |
2.4 |
|
December |
29.3 |
1.8 |
3.4 |
|
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** Mesa, Pinnacle and PSA began reporting employment numbers in 2004.
*** Republic, Shuttle America and GoJet reported for part of 2005.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 14: Regional Carrier Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month
Numbers in thousands (000’s)
|
2004** |
2005*** |
2006 |
2007 |
Percent Change |
|
2004-2007 |
2006-2007 |
|||||
January |
48.3 |
55.8 |
57.2 |
58.9 |
22.0 |
3.0 |
February |
48.9 |
55.9 |
56.6 |
59.9 |
22.4 |
5.9 |
March |
49.6 |
56.4 |
56.7 |
59.9 |
20.7 |
5.6 |
April |
50.3 |
56.6 |
56.9 |
60.1 |
19.6 |
5.6 |
May |
51.2 |
56.9 |
56.5 |
60.6 |
18.3 |
7.2 |
June |
51.9 |
57.6 |
57.0 |
59.9 |
15.3 |
5.1 |
July |
54.3 |
57.6 |
57.1 |
59.9 |
10.2 |
4.8 |
August |
55.0 |
57.8 |
57.2 |
60.0 |
9.1 |
4.9 |
September |
55.2 |
57.6 |
57.4 |
60.4 |
9.4 |
5.2 |
October |
55.8 |
57.4 |
57.7 |
|
|
|
November |
55.6 |
56.8 |
58.1 |
|
|
|
December |
55.3 |
56.3 |
58.2 |
|
|
|
Monthly Average |
51.6 |
56.9 |
57.0 |
|
|
|
Jan-Sept Average |
52.6 |
56.9 |
57.2 |
59.9 |
13.9 |
4.8 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** Mesa, Pinnacle and PSA began reporting employment numbers in 2004.
*** Republic, Shuttle America and GoJet reported for part of 2005.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 15: Regional Carrier Full-time Equivalent Employees*, September 2003-2007
(Ranked by September 2007 FTEs)
Rank |
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Percent Change** |
|
2003-2007 |
2006-2007 |
|||||||
1 |
SkyWest |
5,343 |
6,716 |
8,132 |
8,491 |
9,966 |
86.5 |
17.4 |
2 |
American Eagle |
7,478 |
8,942 |
9,448 |
9,227 |
9,562 |
27.9 |
3.6 |
3 |
ExpressJet |
5,653 |
6,223 |
6,492 |
6,826 |
7,868 |
39.2 |
15.3 |
4 |
Comair |
5,648 |
5,907 |
6,589 |
6,061 |
6,219 |
10.1 |
2.6 |
5 |
Atlantic Southeast |
5,365 |
5,857 |
5,510 |
5,601 |
4,343 |
-19.0 |
-22.5 |
6 |
Horizon |
3,329 |
3,318 |
3,450 |
3,619 |
3,763 |
13.0 |
4.0 |
7 |
Pinnacle |
N/A |
2,418 |
3,080 |
3,063 |
3,544 |
N/A |
15.7 |
8 |
Mesa |
N/A |
3,866 |
3,343 |
3,389 |
3,234 |
N/A |
-4.6 |
9 |
Mesaba |
3,001 |
3,130 |
3,371 |
2,585 |
2,739 |
-8.7 |
6.0 |
10 |
Air Wisconsin |
2,634 |
3,766 |
2,388 |
2,229 |
2,233 |
-15.2 |
0.2 |
11 |
Executive |
1,808 |
1,864 |
1,746 |
1,669 |
1,671 |
-7.6 |
0.1 |
12 |
PSA |
N/A |
1,797 |
1,660 |
1,473 |
1,459 |
N/A |
-1.0 |
13 |
Trans States |
1,176 |
1,436 |
1,428 |
1,238 |
1,316 |
11.9 |
6.3 |
14 |
Republic |
N/A |
N/A |
104 |
601 |
1,112 |
N/A |
85.0 |
15 |
Shuttle America |
N/A |
N/A |
704 |
1,063 |
1,062 |
N/A |
-0.1 |
16 |
Go Jet |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
310 |
352 |
N/A |
13.5 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** Many regional carriers were not required to report employment numbers before 2003, so year-to-year comparisons involving regional carriers, or the total industry, are not appropriate for the years before 2003. The Percent Change 2003-2007 is based on the 10 carriers reporting in both years.
N/A: Not applicable because carriers did not meet the standard for filing.
Note: Detail may not add to total due to rounding.
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