July 2008 Passenger
Airline Employment Down 0.8 Percent from July 2007
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Contact |
BTS 46-08
Dave Smallen
202-366-5568 |
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - U.S. scheduled
passenger airlines employed 0.8 percent fewer workers in July 2008 than in July
2007, the first decrease in full-time equivalent employee
(FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month
of the previous year since January 2007, 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.
Of the network airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air
Lines and Northwest Airlines decreased employment from July 2007 to July 2008
(Table 9) as did low-cost carriers AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines (Table
12). Regional carriers SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines, Horizon Air, Mesa
Airlines, Executive Airlines, and PSA Airlines also reported reduced employment
levels (Table 15) compared to last year.
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 seven network carriers employed 280,293 FTEs
in July, 68.2 percent of the passenger airline total, while low-cost carriers
employed 14.9 percent and regional carriers also employed 14.8 percent (Table
4).
American Airlines employed the most FTEs in July
among the network carriers, Southwest Airlines employed the most among low-cost
carriers, and American Eagle employed the most among regional carriers. Seven
of the top 10 employers in the industry are network carriers (Table 6).
America West Airlines and US Airways now operate
under a single certificate. Joint reporting
began with October 2007 data. US
Airways' employment numbers were included with the network airlines prior to
October 2007 while America West's numbers were included with the low-cost
airlines. Beginning with October 2007,
US Airways' numbers are combined with America West's numbers in the network
category. The combined carrier's numbers
were included in the low-cost category for October 2007 through February 2008
in the releases for those months. The
numbers for those months have been revised beginning with the March 2008
release to include the combined carrier's numbers in the network category for
all months. The revision was due to a
BTS recalculation based on the airline's fourth quarter financial report
released May 19.
The merged airline, listed in the network
category, reported 32,611 FTEs for July 2008. In July 2007, US Airways reported 20,399 FTEs in the
network category and America West reported 12,451 FTEs in the low-cost category
for a total of 32,850.
Network Airlines
FTEs at the seven network carriers increased 4.3
percent in July 2008 compared to July 2007, the 15th consecutive monthly gain
from the same month of the previous year. Prior to an increase in July 2007, the network group had reduced FTEs
from the previous year every month since September 2001 (Table 7).
Three network carriers decreased FTEs from July 2007
to July 2008: Delta, 1.6 percent, United, 1.5 percent, and Northwest, 0.4
percent. The year-to-year increases were US Airways 59.9 percent, Alaska
Airlines 2.0 percent, Continental Airlines 1.9 percent, and American Airlines 0.3
percent (Table 9). US Airways' July 2007 FTE number was reported prior to joint
reporting with America West.
FTEs at five network carriers declined during
the four years from July 2004 to July 2008. The exceptions were Continental
with a 4.2 percent increase and the newly combined US Airways with a 25.8
percent gain (Table 8). The biggest
percentage decline was at Northwest, down 24.6 percent, a reduction of 9,500
FTEs, followed by Delta at 16.9 percent. The other FTE decreases during that time were United, down 13.4 percent,
American, down 8.4 percent and Alaska, down 2.4
percent (Table 9).
Network carriers operate a significant portion
of their flights using at least one hub where connections are made for flights
to down-line destinations or spoke cities.
Low-Cost Airlines
Since the America West and US Airways report was
combined last October and following the BTS recalculation of the carrier groups
to place the merged airline in the network category, low-cost carrier FTEs decreased
each month for 10 consecutive months through July compared to the same month of
the previous year (Tables 10, 11).
AirTran and Frontier Airlines also reported FTE
decreases in 2008 from July 2007. Although the merger resulted in a
year-to-year decline for the group, three low-cost carriers reported
year-to-year increases: JetBlue Airways, 8.5 percent, Spirit Airlines 5.8
percent and Southwest Airlines, 2.2 percent. ATA Airlines, which reported 2,383 FTEs in July 2007, stopped operating on
April 3 and ceased reporting employment data effective in March (Table 12).
Low-cost carriers are those that the industry
recognizes as operating under a low-cost business model, with lower
infrastructure costs and higher productivity. Two new low-cost carriers, SkyBus
Airlines and Virgin America, began reporting employment data in August. SkyBus ceased operations on April 5. Virgin
America reported 1,200 FTE employees in July 2008 (Table 12).
Regional Airlines
Regional carrier FTEs were up 1.4 percent
in July 2008 compared to July 2007 (Table 13).
Republic Airlines and Air Wisconsin
reported the largest increases in the group. Republic employed 27.1 percent more FTEs in July 2008 than July 2007,
while Air Wisconsin employed 27.2
percent more (Table 15).
Regional carrier FTEs rose from 57,574
in July 2005 to 60,698 in July 2008, an increase of 5.4 percent (Table
14).
The 12 regional carriers reporting
employment data in both 2004 and 2008 employed 5.1 percent more FTEs in July
2008 than in July 2004. Of that group, Pinnacle
Airlines reported the biggest gain, 57.2 percent, followed by SkyWest at 45.4
percent and ExpressJet at 12.0 percent. Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Air Wisconsin,
Mesa, PSA, and Executive reported
fewer FTEs in July 2008 than July 2004 (Table 15).
Effective with April 2008
reporting, Trans States Airlines no longer met the reporting requirements for
filing monthly airline employment data. Trans States reported 1,319 FTEs in July
2007.
Regional carrier Compass Airlines
began reporting employment data in November 2007. Compass reported 641 FTEs in July
(Table 15). Regional carrier Lynx Airlines began reporting employment data in February
2008. Lynx reported 341 FTEs in July
(Table 15). Regional carrier Colgan Airlines began reporting employment data in
April 2008. Colgan reported 1,323 FTEs in July (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 Continental Micronesia and Hawaiian Airlines in serving the Hawaiian
Islands.
Data are compiled from monthly
reports filed with BTS by commercial air carriers as of September 10.
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 July airline
employment data for Oct. 21.
Table 1: Change in Passenger Airline
Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Carrier Group
Percent change compared to same
month the previous year for the most recent 13 months
Excel | CSV
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 |
Oct.
2006-Oct. 2007 |
7.2 |
-11.8 |
5.5 |
3.5 |
Nov.
2006-Nov. 2007 |
7.5 |
-10.9 |
5.1 |
3.7 |
Dec.
2006-Dec. 2007 |
7.5 |
-11.2 |
4.9 |
3.7 |
Jan.
2007-Jan. 2008 |
7.5 |
-11.4 |
3.7 |
3.4 |
Feb.
2007-Feb. 2008 |
7.7 |
-11.9 |
1.1 |
3.0 |
Mar
2007-Mar 2008 |
7.5 |
-15.2 |
0.6 |
1.6 |
Apr.
2007-Apr. 2008 |
7.1 |
-15.9 |
2.0 |
1.3 |
May
2007-May 2008 |
6.4 |
-15.4 |
1.3 |
0.8 |
June
2007-June 2008 |
5.3 |
-15.6 |
1.8 |
0.1 |
July
2007-July 2008 |
4.3 |
-16.8 |
1.4 |
-0.8 |
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** US
Airways' employment numbers were included with the network airlines prior to
October 2007 while America West's numbers were included with the low-cost
airlines. Beginning with October 2007,
US Airways' numbers are combined with America West's numbers in the network
category. The combined carrier's numbers
were included in the low-cost category for October 2007 through February 2008
in the releases for those months. The
numbers for those months have been revised beginning with the March 2008
release to include the combined carrier's numbers in the network category for
all months. The revision was due to a
BTS recalculation based on the airline's fourth quarter financial report
released May 19.
*** 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, Casino Express Airlines, Continental Micronesia, 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
Excel | CSV
January |
-0.8 |
-6.0 |
-0.4 |
3.4 |
February |
-1.4 |
-5.8 |
0.4 |
3.0 |
March |
-1.9 |
-5.4 |
0.7 |
1.6 |
April |
-3.1 |
-4.6 |
1.4 |
1.3 |
May |
-3.5 |
-4.9 |
2.2 |
0.8 |
June |
-3.8 |
-4.8 |
2.5 |
0.1 |
July |
-3.5 |
-5.9 |
2.8 |
-0.8 |
August |
-5.8 |
-3.1 |
2.6 |
|
September |
-5.8 |
-2.6 |
3.0 |
|
October |
-6.0 |
-2.2 |
3.5 |
|
November |
-6.5 |
-1.6 |
3.7 |
|
December |
-5.9 |
-0.9 |
3.7 |
|
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)
Excel | CSV
January |
435.0 |
431.5 |
405.7 |
404.3 |
418.1 |
-3.9% |
3.4% |
February |
435.0 |
428.9 |
404.5 |
406.0 |
418.3 |
-3.8% |
3.0% |
March |
435.9 |
427.7 |
405.1 |
408.0 |
414.8 |
-4.8% |
1.6% |
April |
437.8 |
424.1 |
404.5 |
410.2 |
415.5 |
-5.1% |
1.3% |
May |
439.6 |
424.4 |
403.6 |
412.4 |
415.6 |
-5.4% |
0.8% |
June |
440.9 |
424.3 |
403.8 |
414.0 |
414.6 |
-6.0% |
0.1% |
July |
444.1 |
428.5 |
403.3 |
414.6 |
411.1 |
-7.4% |
-0.8% |
August |
443.0 |
417.5 |
404.7 |
415.4 |
|
|
|
September |
440.0 |
414.5 |
403.7 |
416.3 |
|
|
|
October |
439.1 |
412.7 |
403.6 |
417.9 |
|
|
|
November |
439.5 |
411.0 |
404.5 |
419.4 |
|
|
|
December |
434.0 |
408.8 |
405.0 |
419.8 |
|
|
|
12-Month
Average |
438.7 |
421.2 |
404.3 |
413.2 |
|
|
|
Jan-July
Average |
438.3 |
427.0 |
404.4 |
409.9 |
415.4 |
-5.2% |
1.3% |
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, July 2004-2008
FTE Numbers in thousands (000's)
Excel | CSV
2004 |
306.3 |
72.4 |
54.3 |
444.1 |
2005 |
288.2 |
71.3 |
57.6 |
428.5 |
2006 |
264.9 |
69.4 |
57.1 |
403.3 |
2007 |
268.7 |
73.5 |
59.9 |
413.7 |
2008 |
280.3 |
61.2 |
60.7 |
411.1 |
Pct.
Change 2004-2008**** |
-8.5% |
-15.5% |
5.4% |
-4.0% |
Percent
of Total Passenger Airline Employees in 2008 |
68.2% |
14.9% |
14.8% |
|
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** America
West's employment numbers were included with the low-cost airlines prior to
October 2007. Beginning with October
2007, America West's numbers are combined with US Airways numbers in the network
category.
***
Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.
****
Percent change comparison for regional airlines and for all passenger airlines
is for 2005 to 2008 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, July 2004-2008
Percent Change from the previous year
Excel | CSV
2004 |
-2.0 |
2.3 |
N/A |
N/A |
2005 |
-5.9 |
-1.5 |
6.0 |
-5.5 |
2006 |
-8.1 |
-2.6 |
-0.8 |
-5.9 |
2007 |
1.5 |
5.9 |
4.8 |
2.8 |
2008 |
4.3 |
-16.8 |
1.4 |
-0.8 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** America
West's employment numbers were included with the low-cost airlines prior to
October 2007. Beginning with October
2007, America West's numbers are combined with US Airways numbers in the network
category.
*** Some regional carriers were not
required to report employment numbers before 2005, so year-to-year comparisons
involving regional carriers, or the total industry, are not appropriate for the
years before 2005.
****
Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.
Note: Percent changes based on
numbers prior to rounding.
Table 6: Top 10 Airlines, July 2008
Ranked by Number of Full-Time
Equivalent Employees*
Excel | CSV
1 |
American |
73.1 |
Network |
American |
2 |
United |
50.9 |
Network |
United |
3 |
Delta |
48.1 |
Network |
Delta |
4 |
Continental |
36.5 |
Network |
Continental |
5 |
Southwest |
34.3 |
Low Cost |
Southwest |
6 |
US
Airways |
32.6 |
Network |
Northwest |
7 |
Northwest |
29.1 |
Network |
US
Airways |
8 |
JetBlue |
10.4 |
Low Cost |
America West |
9 |
Alaska |
10.0 |
Network |
Alaska |
10 |
American
Eagle |
9.6 |
Regional |
SkyWest |
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** America
West's employment numbers were included with the low-cost airlines prior to
October 2007. Beginning with October
2007, America West's numbers are combined with US Airways numbers in the
network category.
Table 7: Network Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* Change from the Previous Year**
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
Excel | CSV
January |
-4.1 |
-8.1 |
-2.6 |
7.5 |
February |
-4.6 |
-7.8 |
-2.2 |
7.7 |
March |
-5.0 |
-7.4 |
-1.4 |
7.5 |
April |
-6.5 |
-6.7 |
-0.7 |
7.1 |
May |
-6.6 |
-7.0 |
0.3 |
6.7 |
June |
-7.0 |
-6.8 |
1.3 |
5.3 |
July |
-5.9 |
-8.1 |
1.5 |
4.3 |
August |
-9.0 |
-4.7 |
1.5 |
|
September |
-8.9 |
-4.1 |
1.8 |
|
October |
-8.9 |
-4.0 |
7.2 |
|
November |
-9.3 |
-3.4 |
7.5 |
|
December |
-8.5 |
-2.9 |
7.5 |
|
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** US
Airways' employment numbers were included with the network airlines prior to
October 2007 while America West's numbers were included with the low-cost
airlines. Beginning with October 2007,
US Airways' numbers are combined with America West' numbers in the network
category. The combined carrier's numbers
were included in the low-cost category for October 2007 through February 2008 in
the releases for those months. The
numbers for those months have been revised beginning with the March 2008
release to include the combined carrier's numbers in the network category for
all months. The revision was due to a
BTS recalculation based on the airline's fourth quarter financial report
released May 19.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 8: Network Carrier Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month**
Numbers in thousands (000's)
Excel | CSV
January |
305.1 |
292.7 |
269.1 |
262.0 |
281.7 |
-18.4 |
7.5 |
February |
304.7 |
290.9 |
268.2 |
262.4 |
282.6 |
-18.0 |
7.7 |
March |
304.6 |
289.3 |
267.8 |
264.1 |
283.9 |
-6.8 |
7.5 |
April |
305.6 |
285.8 |
266.6 |
264.8 |
283.7 |
-7.2 |
7.1 |
May |
306.0 |
285.8 |
265.8 |
266.6 |
283.6 |
-7.3 |
6.4 |
June |
306.1 |
284.8 |
265.3 |
268.6 |
282.8 |
-7.6 |
5.3 |
July |
306.3 |
288.2 |
264.9 |
268.7 |
280.3 |
-8.5 |
4.3 |
August |
305.3 |
277.8 |
264.8 |
268.8 |
|
|
|
September |
302.4 |
275.4 |
264.0 |
268.8 |
|
|
|
October |
300.9 |
274.1 |
263.0 |
281.9 |
|
|
|
November |
300.2 |
272.4 |
263.0 |
282.7 |
|
|
|
December |
295.7 |
270.6 |
262.9 |
282.7 |
|
|
|
12-Month
Average |
305.1 |
285.6 |
266.3 |
270.2 |
|
|
|
Jan-July
Average |
305.5 |
288.2 |
266.8 |
265.3 |
282.7 |
-7.5% |
6.5% |
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** US
Airways' employment numbers were included with the network airlines prior to
October 2007 while America West's numbers were included with the low-cost
airlines. Beginning with October 2007,
US Airways' numbers are combined with America West's numbers in the network
category. The combined carrier's numbers
were included in the low-cost category for October 2007 through February 2008
in the releases for those months. The
numbers for those months have been revised beginning with the March 2008
release to include the combined carrier's numbers in the network category for
all months. The revision was due to a
BTS recalculation based on the airline's fourth quarter financial report
released May 19.
Note: Percent changes and averages based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 9: Network Carrier Full-time
Equivalent Employees*, July 2004-2008**
(Ranked by July 2008 FTEs)
Numbers in thousands (000's)
Excel | CSV
1 |
American |
79.8 |
80.5 |
73.3 |
72.9 |
73.1 |
-8.4 |
0.3 |
2 |
United |
58.8 |
54.5 |
53.0 |
51.7 |
50.9 |
-13.4 |
-1.5 |
3 |
Delta |
57.9 |
52.3 |
45.3 |
48.9 |
48.1 |
-16.9 |
-1.6 |
4 |
Continental |
35.0 |
32.6 |
34.3 |
35.8 |
36.5 |
4.2 |
1.9 |
5 |
US
Airways |
25.9 |
21.7 |
19.2 |
20.4 |
32.6 |
25.8 |
59.9 |
6 |
Northwest |
38.6 |
37.6 |
30.4 |
29.2 |
29.1 |
-24.6 |
-0.4 |
7 |
Alaska |
10.3 |
9.0 |
9.4 |
9.8 |
10.0 |
-2.4 |
2.0 |
|
Total |
306,264 |
288,244 |
264,875 |
268,726 |
280,293 |
-8.5 |
4.3 |
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.
** Beginning
with October 2007, US Airways' numbers are combined with America West Airlines'
numbers in the network category. For
America West's previous year numbers in the low-cost category, see Table 12.
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
Excel | CSV
January |
0.5 |
-5.3 |
4.5 |
-11.4 |
February |
0.6 |
-4.1 |
5.0 |
-11.9 |
March*** |
0.0 |
-3.0 |
4.4 |
-15.2 |
April |
-0.7 |
-2.2 |
5.7 |
-15.9 |
May |
-1.0 |
-2.1 |
5.3 |
-15.4 |
June |
-1.2 |
-2.0 |
5.3 |
-15.6 |
July |
-1.5 |
-2.6 |
5.9 |
-16.8 |
August |
-0.7 |
-0.8 |
5.3 |
|
September |
-1.0 |
-0.4 |
6.0 |
|
October |
-1.2 |
0.8 |
-11.8 |
|
November |
-2.5 |
0.9 |
-10.9 |
|
December |
-1.4 |
1.4 |
-11.2 |
|
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** US
Airways' employment numbers were included with the network airlines prior to
October 2007 while America West's numbers were included with the low-cost
airlines. Beginning with October 2007,
US Airways' numbers are combined with America West's numbers in the network
category. The combined carrier's numbers
were included in the low-cost category for October 2007 through February 2008
in the releases for those months. The numbers
for those months have been revised beginning with the March 2008 release to
include the combined carrier's numbers in the network category for all
months. The revision was due to a BTS
recalculation based on the airline's fourth quarter financial report released
May 19.
*** ATA
Airlines ceased operating on April 3, 2008 and stopped reporting employment
data effective in March.
Note: 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.
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)
Excel | CSV
January |
71.2 |
71.6 |
67.8 |
70.8 |
62.8 |
-11.8 |
-11.4 |
February |
70.5 |
70.9 |
68.0 |
71.4 |
62.9 |
-10.8 |
-11.9 |
March***** |
70.8 |
70.8 |
69.7 |
71.7 |
60.8 |
-14.2 |
-15.2 |
April |
71.0 |
70.3 |
68.9 |
72.8 |
61.2 |
-13.7 |
-15.9 |
May |
71.3 |
70.5 |
69.1 |
72.7 |
61.5 |
-13.7 |
-15.4 |
June |
71.7 |
70.8 |
69.4 |
73.1 |
61.7 |
-14.0 |
-15.6 |
July |
72.4 |
71.3 |
69.4 |
73.5 |
61.2 |
-15.5 |
-16.8 |
August |
71.6 |
71.1 |
70.5 |
74.2 |
|
|
|
September |
71.3 |
70.6 |
70.3 |
74.5 |
|
|
|
October |
71.2 |
70.4 |
70.9 |
62.6 |
|
|
|
November |
72.3 |
70.5 |
71.1 |
63.4 |
|
|
|
December |
71.6 |
70.6 |
71.6 |
63.6 |
|
|
|
12-Month
Average |
71.3 |
70.9 |
69.2 |
70.4 |
|
|
|
Jan-July
Average |
71.3 |
70.9 |
68.9 |
72.3 |
61.7 |
13.4% |
14.6% |
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** US Airways' employment numbers
were included with the network airlines prior to October 2007 while America
West's numbers were included with the low-cost airlines. Beginning with October 2007, US Airways'
numbers are combined with America West Airlines' numbers in the network
category. The combined carrier's numbers
were included in the low-cost category for October 2007 through February 2008
in the releases for those months. The
numbers for those months have been revised beginning with the March 2008
release to include the combined carrier's numbers in the network category for
all months. The revision was due to a
BTS recalculation based on the airline's fourth quarter financial report
released May 19.
***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.
****
Virgin America and SkyBus began reporting employment data in August 2007.
SkyBus stopped reporting employment data effective in April 2008 resulting from
its bankruptcy filing.
***** ATA
Airlines ceased operating on April 3, 2008 and stopped reporting employment
data effective in March.
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,* July
2004-2008**
(Ranked by July 2008 FTEs)
Excel | CSV
1 |
Southwest |
31,676 |
31,428 |
31,731 |
33,554 |
34,285 |
8.2 |
2.2 |
2 |
JetBlue |
6,052 |
7,674 |
9,676 |
9,605 |
10,424 |
72.2 |
8.5 |
3 |
AirTran |
5,720 |
6,293 |
7,222 |
8,245 |
8,182 |
43.0 |
-0.8 |
4 |
Frontier |
3,969 |
4,117 |
4,529 |
5,076 |
4,742 |
19.5 |
-6.6 |
5 |
Spirit |
2,426 |
2,153 |
2,033 |
2,195 |
2,323 |
-4.2 |
5.8 |
6 |
Virgin America |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1,200 |
N/A |
N/A |
7 |
ATA***** |
6,688 |
4,486 |
2,612 |
2,383 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
8 |
SkyBus |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
9 |
Independence |
4,348 |
3,165 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
10 |
America West |
11,472 |
11,941 |
11,630 |
12,451 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total |
72,351 |
71,257 |
69,433 |
73,509 |
61,154 |
-15.5 |
-16.8 |
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** US Airways' employment numbers
were included with the network airlines prior to October 2007 while America
West's numbers were included with the low-cost airlines. Beginning with October 2007, US Airways'
numbers are combined with America West Airlines' numbers in the network
category. The combined carrier's numbers
were included in the low-cost category for October 2007 through February 2008
in the releases for those months. The
numbers for those months have been revised beginning with the March 2008 release
to include the combined carrier's numbers in the network category for all
months. The revision was due to a BTS
recalculation based on the airline's fourth quarter financial report released
May 19.
***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.
****
Virgin America and SkyBus began reporting employment data in August 2007.
SkyBus stopped reporting employment data effective in April 2008 resulting from
its bankruptcy filing.
***** ATA
Airlines ceased operating on April 3, 2008 and stopped reporting employment
data effective in March.
N/A: Carrier did
not meet the standard for filing, was no longer operating, merged with another
operating carrier or failed to file. See
previous notes.
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
Excel | CSV
January |
15.5 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
3.7 |
February |
14.3 |
1.1 |
5.9 |
1.1 |
March |
13.7 |
0.5 |
5.6 |
0.6 |
April |
12.6 |
0.6 |
5.6 |
2.0 |
May |
11.1 |
-0.6 |
7.2 |
1.3 |
June |
11.0 |
-1.6 |
5.1 |
1.8 |
July |
6.0 |
-0.8 |
4.8 |
1.4 |
August |
5.1 |
-1.0 |
4.9 |
|
September |
4.3 |
-0.3 |
5.2 |
|
October |
2.7 |
0.6 |
5.5 |
|
November |
2.1 |
2.4 |
5.1 |
|
December |
2.2 |
3.0 |
4.9 |
|
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** Republic, Shuttle America and GoJet reported for part of
2005.
*** Compass began reporting
employment numbers in November 2007.
**** Lynx Airlines began reporting
in February 2008. Colgan Airlines began reporting in April 2008. Trans States
Airlines no longer met reporting requirements beginning in April 2008.
Note:
Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 14: Regional Carrier Full-time
Equivalent Employees* by Month
Numbers in thousands (000's)
Excel | CSV
January |
48.3 |
55.8 |
57.2 |
58.9 |
61.1 |
9.5 |
3.7 |
February |
48.9 |
55.9 |
56.6 |
59.9 |
60.5 |
8.3 |
1.1 |
March |
49.6 |
56.4 |
56.7 |
59.9 |
60.2 |
6.9 |
0.6 |
April |
50.3 |
56.6 |
56.9 |
60.1 |
61.3 |
8.4 |
2.0 |
May |
51.2 |
56.9 |
56.5 |
60.6 |
61.4 |
7.9 |
1.3 |
June |
51.9 |
57.6 |
57.0 |
59.9 |
61.0 |
5.8 |
1.8 |
July |
54.3 |
57.6 |
57.1 |
59.9 |
60.7 |
5.4 |
1.4 |
August |
55.0 |
57.8 |
57.2 |
60.2 |
|
|
|
September |
55.2 |
57.6 |
57.4 |
60.7 |
|
|
|
October |
55.8 |
57.4 |
57.7 |
61.2 |
|
|
|
November |
55.6 |
56.8 |
58.1 |
61.1 |
|
|
|
December |
55.3 |
56.3 |
58.2 |
61.1 |
|
|
|
12-Month
Average |
51.6 |
56.9 |
57.0 |
60.3 |
|
|
|
Jan-July
Average |
50.6 |
56.7 |
56.9 |
59.9 |
60.9 |
7.4% |
1.7% |
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.
**** Compass began reporting
employment numbers in November 2007.
**** Lynx Airlines began reporting
in February 2008. Colgan Airlines began reporting in April 2008. Trans States
Airlines no longer met reporting requirements beginning in April 2008.
Note:
Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 15: Regional Carrier Full-time Equivalent Employees*, July
2004-2008
(Ranked by July 2008 FTEs)
Excel | CSV
1 |
American
Eagle |
8,604 |
9,373 |
9,211 |
9,499 |
9,616 |
11.8 |
1.2 |
2 |
SkyWest |
6,399 |
7,794 |
8,144 |
9,761 |
9,304 |
45.4 |
-4.7 |
3 |
ExpressJet |
6,229 |
6,501 |
6,717 |
7,878 |
6,979 |
12.0 |
-11.4 |
4 |
Comair |
5,873 |
6,544 |
6,101 |
6,099 |
6,140 |
4.5 |
0.7 |
5 |
Atlantic
Southeast |
5,771 |
5,537 |
5,569 |
4,356 |
4,478 |
-22.4 |
2.8 |
6 |
Horizon |
3,360 |
3,409 |
3,477 |
3,827 |
3,675 |
9.4 |
-4.0 |
7 |
Pinnacle |
2,264 |
3,071 |
3,048 |
3,492 |
3,560 |
57.2 |
1.9 |
8 |
Mesaba |
3,104 |
3,306 |
2,776 |
2,609 |
3,277 |
5.6 |
25.6 |
9 |
Mesa |
3,743 |
3,314 |
3,376 |
3,163 |
2,992 |
-20.1 |
-5.4 |
10 |
Air Wisconsin |
3,701 |
3,228 |
2,199 |
2,250 |
2,861 |
-22.7 |
27.2 |
11 |
Executive |
2,027 |
1,848 |
1,813 |
1,726 |
1,695 |
-16.4 |
-1.8 |
12 |
Colgan |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1,323 |
N/A |
N/A |
13 |
Republic |
N/A |
N/A |
561 |
998 |
1,268 |
N/A |
27.1 |
14 |
Shuttle America |
N/A |
478 |
1,033 |
1,069 |
1,122 |
N/A |
5.0 |
15 |
PSA |
1,843 |
1,708 |
1,463 |
1,459 |
1,062 |
-42.4 |
-27.2 |
16 |
Compass |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
641 |
N/A |
N/A |
17 |
GoJet |
N/A |
N/A |
325 |
350 |
364 |
N/A |
4.0 |
18 |
Lynx |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
341 |
N/A |
N/A |
19 |
Trans
States*** |
1,399 |
1,463 |
1,310 |
1,319 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total |
54,317 |
57,574 |
57,123 |
59,855 |
60,698 |
5.1 |
1.4 |
Source:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time
Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one
full-time employee.
** Some regional carriers were not
required to report employment numbers before 2005, so year-to-year comparisons
involving regional carriers, or the total industry, are not appropriate for the
years before 2005. The Percent Change 2004-2008 is based on the 11 carriers
reporting in both years.
*** Effective with April 2008
reporting, Trans States Airlines no longer met the reporting requirements for
filing monthly airline employment data.
N/A: Not applicable because carriers did not meet the standard for filing.
Note: Detail may
not add to total due to rounding.
|