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September 2011 Passenger Airline Employment Rose 2.9 Percent from September 2010
September 2011 Passenger Airline Employment Rose 2.9 Percent from September 2010
BTS 59-11Dave Smallen
202-366-5568
Scheduled Passenger Airline Full-Time Equivalent Employees, October 2009-September 2011
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Friday, November 18, 2011 - U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.9 percent more workers in September 2011 than they did in September 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportations Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. This is the 10th consecutive increase in full-time equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month of the previous year (Tables 1, 2). 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 September FTE total of 388,641 for the scheduled passenger carriers was 10,965 more than that of September 2010 and the highest employment number since April 2009 (Table 3). This 10th consecutive monthly increase in FTE levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month of the previous year follows declines that began in July 2008 (Table 2). Historic employment data can be found on the BTS web site.
Of the network airlines, only Alaska Airlines and United Airlines decreased employment from September 2010 to September 2011. Continental Airlines reported 13.2 percent more FTEs in September 2011 than in September 2010, the largest increase among the network carriers. US Airways followed Continental with a 3.1 percent increase (Table 9). 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 the low-cost carriers reported more FTEs in September 2011 than in September 2010 except for Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines, which reported a 4.5 percent decrease and a 1.3 percent decrease respectively. The low-cost carriers with more reported FTEs are Virgin America Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines (Table 12).
Among the regional carriers, the four carriers reporting reduced employment levels compared to last year were Mesa Airlines, Mesaba Airlines, Comair, and Air Wisconsin (Table 15).
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 September, the seven low-cost carriers employed 17.5 percent and the 17 regional carriers employed 13.7 percent (Table 4).
Top employers by group: Delta employed the most FTEs in September 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 (Table 6).
Network Airlines
Recent Trend: The network airlines employed 6,888 more FTEs in September 2011 than in September 2010. All network carriers except Alaska and United increased FTEs from September 2010 to September 2011 (Table 9).
Longer-Trend: The network airlines employed 6,186 fewer FTEs in September 2011 than in September 2007 even though America Wests numbers were not combined with US Airways in the network category until October 2007. United reported the biggest percentage decline in FTE employment from 2007 to 2011, down 16.9 percent, followed by American Airlines, down 9.4 percent. September 2011 numbers for Delta and US Airways are not comparable to 2007 because of the intervening mergers (Tables 8, 9).
Low-Cost Airlines
Recent Trend: Low-cost airline FTEs were up 5.9 percent in September 2011 from September 2010, the largest year-to-year increase since September 2007. All low-cost airlines except Allegiant and Frontier reported year-to-year increases (Table 12).
Longer Trend: The seven low-cost carriers reporting employment data in both 2007 and 2011 employed 12.2 percent more FTEs in September 2011 than in September 2007. Virgin America reported the largest percentage increase, up 257.2 percent but Frontier reported a decline (Table 12).
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: Regional airline FTEs were up 2.0 percent in September 2011 compared to September 2010. Colgan Airlines and Shuttle America reported the largest percentage increases. Comair and Mesa reported the largest percentage decreases (Table 15).
Longer Trend: The 16 regional carriers reporting employment data in both 2007 and 2011 employed 12.8 percent fewer FTEs in 2011 than in 2007. Comair reported the largest percentage decline followed by Mesa and ExpressJet Airlines (Table 15).
Compass Airlines reported the biggest four-year percentage gain followed by Republic Airlines. Effective with January 2010 reporting, Republics employment numbers include FTEs from Midwest Airlines. Midwest employment data were formerly included in the "Other Airlines" category (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.
Beginning with October 2007 data, US Airways numbers are combined with numbers for America West Airlines in the network category. For previous months, America West's numbers were included with the low-cost airlines.
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 Nov. 10. Additional airline employment data can be found on the BTS website. BTS has scheduled release of September passenger airline employment data for Dec. 13.
Table 1: Change from Previous Year in Scheduled Passenger Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Airline Group
Most recent 13 months - percent change compared to same month of the previous year
| Month | Network Airlines | Low-Cost Airlines | Regional Airlines | All Passenger Airlines** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2009-Sept. 2010 | 0.3 | 2.7 | -6.6 | -0.6 |
| Oct. 2009-Oct. 2010 | -1.2 | 3.0 | 0.5 | -0.4 |
| Nov. 2009-Nov. 2010 | -0.7 | 3.2 | -1.0 | 0.0 |
| Dec. 2009-Dec. 2010 | -0.5 | 3.3 | -0.3 | 0.2 |
| Jan. 2010-Jan. 2011 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Feb. 2010-Feb. 2011 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| Mar. 2010-Mar. 2011 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Apr. 2010-Apr. 2011 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| May 2010-May 2011 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 2.1 |
| June 2010-June 2011 | 1.6 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| July 2010-July 2011 | 2.1 | 5.3 | 1.9 | 2.3 |
| Aug. 2010-Aug. 2011 | 2.7 | 5.7 | 2.1 | 2.8 |
| Sept. 2010-Sept. 2011 | 2.7 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 2.9 |
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. Other Carriers generally operate within specific niche markets. They are: Hawaiian Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and USA3000 Airlines.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Note: See Table 7 for Network, Table 10 for Low-Cost, Table 13 for Regional, and Table 2 for all passenger airlines.
Table 2: Change from Previous Year in Scheduled Passenger Airline* Full-time Equivalent Employees**
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
| Month | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.4 | -6.7 | -2.9 | 0.4 |
| February | 3.0 | -6.6 | -3.5 | 1.0 |
| March | 1.9 | -5.6 | -3.8 | 1.5 |
| April | 1.3 | -5.5 | -4.1 | 2.0 |
| May | 0.8 | -6.8 | -2.7 | 2.1 |
| June | 0.1 | -6.3 | -2.4 | 1.9 |
| July | -0.8 | -5.9 | -2.3 | 2.4 |
| August | -2.1 | -5.5 | -1.7 | 2.8 |
| September | -4.5 | -4.4 | -0.6 | 2.9 |
| October | -5.7 | -3.7 | -0.4 | |
| November | -6.5 | -3.3 | 0.0 | |
| December | -6.7 | -3.3 | 0.2 |
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: Scheduled Passenger Airline* Full-time Equivalent Employees** by Month
Numbers in thousands (000s)
| Month | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Percent Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2011 | 2010-2011 | ||||||
| January | 404.1 | 418.7 | 390.6 | 379.4 | 380.9 | -5.7 | 0.4 |
| February | 405.8 | 419.0 | 391.6 | 378.0 | 381.8 | -5.9 | 1.0 |
| March | 407.9 | 415.5 | 392.1 | 377.3 | 382.8 | -6.1 | 1.5 |
| April | 410.0 | 415.4 | 392.1 | 376.2 | 383.4 | -6.5 | 1.9 |
| May | 412.3 | 415.5 | 387.4 | 377.0 | 384.7 | -6.7 | 2.1 |
| June | 413.9 | 414.4 | 387.7 | 378.3 | 385.4 | -6.9 | 1.9 |
| July | 414.4 | 411.1 | 386.8 | 378.1 | 386.8 | -6.7 | 2.3 |
| August | 415.2 | 406.7 | 384.3 | 377.8 | 388.5 | -6.4 | 2.8 |
| September | 416.1 | 397.3 | 379.9 | 377.7 | 388.6 | -6.6 | 2.9 |
| October | 417.9 | 394.2 | 379.7 | 378.1 | |||
| November | 419.5 | 392.1 | 379.4 | 379.3 | |||
| December | 419.7 | 391.8 | 379.0 | 379.7 | |||
| 12-Month Average | 413.1 | 407.6 | 386.0 | 378.1 | |||
| Jan-Sept Average | 411.1 | 412.6 | 388.0 | 377.7 | 384.8 | -6.4 | 1.9 |
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 and averages based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 4: Airline Group Full-time Equivalent Employees*, September 2007-2011
FTE numbers in thousands (000s)
| Network** | Low-Cost** | Regional | All Passenger Airlines*** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 268.8 | 75.5 | 60.7 | 416.1 |
| 2008 | 268.4 | 62.5 | 59.4 | 397.3 |
| 2009 | 254.9 | 62.4 | 56.0 | 379.9 |
| 2010 | 255.8 | 64.1 | 52.3 | 377.7 |
| 2011 | 262.6 | 67.9 | 53.4 | 388.6 |
| Pct. Change 2007-2011 | -2.3% | -10.1% | -12.1% | -6.6% |
| Percent of Total Passenger Airline Employees in 2011 | 67.6% | 17.5% | 13.7% |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** America Wests employment numbers were included with the low-cost airlines prior to October 2007. Beginning with October 2007, America Wests numbers are combined with US Airways numbers in the network category.
*** Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 5: Year-to-Year Change in Airline Group Full-time Equivalent Employees*, September 2007-2011
Percent change in FTEs from the same month of the previous year
| Network** | Low-Cost** | Regional | All Passenger Airlines*** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1.8 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 3.1 |
| 2008 | -0.2 | -17.3 | -2.1 | -4.5 |
| 2009 | -5.0 | -0.1 | -5.7 | -4.4 |
| 2010 | 0.3 | 2.7 | -6.6 | -0.6 |
| 2011 | 2.7 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 2.9 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** America Wests employment numbers were included with the low-cost airlines prior to October 2007. Beginning with October 2007, America Wests numbers are combined with US Airways numbers in the network category.
*** Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 6: Top 10 Airlines, September 2011
Ranked by Number of Full-Time Equivalent Employees*
| Rank | Airline | Total FTE Employees (000) | Carrier Group | Top 10 Airlines September 2010** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delta | 76.9 | Network | Delta |
| 2 | American | 66.3 | Network | American |
| 3 | United | 43.3 | Network | United |
| 4 | Southwest | 37.1 | Low-Cost | Southwest |
| 5 | Continental | 36.9 | Network | Continental |
| 6 | US Airways | 30.3 | Network | US Airways |
| 7 | JetBlue | 12.0 | Low-Cost | JetBlue |
| 8 | American Eagle | 10.1 | Regional | American Eagle |
| 9 | SkyWest | 9.4 | Regional | SkyWest |
| 10 | Alaska | 8.9 | Network | Alaska |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** See Table 9 for Network, Table 12 for Low-Cost and Table 15 for Regional
Table 7: Network Airlines - Year-to-Year Change in Full-time Equivalent Employees* from the Previous Year
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.5 | -6.3 | -2.3 | 0.3 |
| February | 7.7 | -6.4 | -3.0 | 1.1 |
| March | 7.5 | -6.7 | -3.1 | 1.5 |
| April | 7.1 | -6.5 | -3.6 | 1.8 |
| May | 6.4 | -8.2 | -1.9 | 2.1 |
| June | 5.3 | -7.8 | -1.6 | 1.6 |
| July | 4.3 | -7.1 | -1.6 | 2.1 |
| August | 2.7 | -6.4 | -0.9 | 2.7 |
| September | -0.2 | -5.0 | 0.3 | 2.7 |
| October | -5.4 | -2.8 | -1.2 | |
| November | -6.2 | -2.7 | -0.7 | |
| December | -6.3 | -2.5 | -0.5 |
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 Airlines Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month**
Numbers in thousands (000s)
| Month | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Percent Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2011 | 2010-2011 | ||||||
| January | 262.0 | 281.7 | 263.9 | 257.8 | 258.7 | -1.3 | 0.3 |
| February | 262.4 | 282.6 | 264.6 | 256.8 | 259.5 | -1.1 | 1.1 |
| March | 264.1 | 283.9 | 264.8 | 256.5 | 260.5 | -1.4 | 1.5 |
| April | 264.8 | 283.7 | 265.2 | 255.7 | 260.3 | -1.7 | 1.8 |
| May | 266.6 | 283.6 | 260.5 | 255.5 | 260.8 | -2.2 | 2.1 |
| June | 268.6 | 282.8 | 260.8 | 256.6 | 260.7 | -2.9 | 1.6 |
| July | 268.7 | 280.4 | 260.5 | 256.4 | 261.7 | -2.6 | 2.1 |
| August | 268.8 | 276.1 | 258.6 | 256.1 | 263.1 | -2.1 | 2.7 |
| September | 268.8 | 268.4 | 254.9 | 255.8 | 262.6 | -2.3 | 2.7 |
| October | 281.9 | 266.6 | 259.0 | 255.9 | |||
| November | 282.7 | 265.2 | 258.1 | 256.4 | |||
| December | 282.7 | 264.7 | 258.1 | 256.8 | |||
| 12-Month Average | 270.2 | 276.7 | 260.8 | 256.4 | |||
| Jan-Sept Average | 266.1 | 280.4 | 261.5 | 256.3 | 260.9 | -2.0 | 1.8 |
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 network airlines prior to October 2007 while America West's numbers were included with low-cost airlines. Beginning with October 2007, US Airways numbers are combined with America Wests numbers in the network category.
Note: Percent changes and averages based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 9: By Network Airline: Full-time Equivalent Employees*, September 2007-2011**
(FTEs for September of each year. Ranked by September 2011 FTEs)
Numbers in thousands (000s)
| Rank | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Percent Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2011 | 2010-2011 | |||||||
| 1 | Delta*** | 48.3 | 46.3 | 45.3 | 75.8 | 76.9 | 59.2 | 1.5 |
| 2 | American | 73.2 | 70.6 | 67.7 | 65.4 | 66.3 | -9.4 | 1.4 |
| 3 | United | 52.1 | 47.7 | 44.4 | 43.6 | 43.3 | -16.9 | -0.5 |
| 4 | Continental | 35.8 | 34.8 | 33.4 | 32.6 | 36.9 | 2.9 | 13.2 |
| 5 | US Airways | 20.4 | 31.3 | 30.2 | 29.4 | 30.3 | 48.7 | 3.1 |
| 6 | Alaska | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 8.9 | -8.4 | -1.4 |
| 7 | Northwest*** | 29.2 | 27.8 | 24.6 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 268.8 | 268.4 | 254.9 | 255.8 | 262.6 | -2.3 | 2.7 | |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Note: Detail September not add to total due to rounding
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** Beginning 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.
*** Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines completed their merger and began reporting combined numbers in February 2010
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 10: Low-Cost Airlines - Year-to-Year Change in Full-time Equivalent Employees* from the Previous Year
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
| Month | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -9.7 | -3.1 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| February | -10.2 | -3.0 | 1.4 | 2.3 |
| March** | -13.3 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| April | -15.2 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 4.0 |
| May | -14.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 4.1 |
| June | -14.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 5.0 |
| July | -16.1 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 5.3 |
| August | -16.4 | -0.2 | 2.0 | 5.7 |
| September | -17.3 | -0.1 | 2.7 | 5.9 |
| October | -1.5 | -0.4 | 3.0 | |
| November | -2.8 | -0.1 | 3.2 | |
| December | -3.3 | 0.0 | 3.3 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** ATA Airlines ceased operating April 3, 2008 and stopped reporting employment data in April.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 11: Low-Cost Airlines Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month**
Numbers in thousands (000s)
| 2007*** | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Percent Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2011 | 2010-2011 | ||||||
| January | 71.7 | 64.7 | 62.7 | 63.6 | 65.0 | -9.4 | 2.2 |
| February | 72.3 | 64.9 | 63.0 | 63.8 | 65.3 | -9.4 | 2.3 |
| March**** | 72.6 | 62.9 | 63.0 | 63.8 | 65.3 | -10.1 | 2.3 |
| April | 73.8 | 62.5 | 63.3 | 63.6 | 66.1 | -10.4 | 4.0 |
| May | 73.7 | 62.8 | 63.5 | 63.9 | 66.6 | -9.7 | 4.1 |
| June | 74.0 | 63.0 | 63.5 | 64.0 | 67.3 | -9.2 | 5.0 |
| July | 74.5 | 62.5 | 63.0 | 64.0 | 67.4 | -9.5 | 5.3 |
| August | 75.2 | 62.9 | 62.8 | 64.0 | 67.7 | -10.0 | 5.7 |
| September | 75.5 | 62.5 | 62.4 | 64.1 | 67.9 | -10.1 | 5.9 |
| October | 63.6 | 62.7 | 62.4 | 64.3 | |||
| November | 64.5 | 62.7 | 62.6 | 64.7 | |||
| December | 64.8 | 62.6 | 62.6 | 64.7 | |||
| 12-Month Average | 71.4 | 63.1 | 63.0 | 64.0 | |||
| Jan-Sept Average | 73.7 | 63.2 | 63.0 | 63.9 | 66.5 | -9.8 | 4.1 |
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.
*** Virgin America and SkyBus began reporting employment data in September 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 April.
Note: Percent changes and averages based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 12: By Low-Cost Carrier: Full-time Equivalent Employees,* September 2007-2011**
(FTEs for September of each year. Ranked by September 2011 FTEs)
| Rank | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Percent Change** | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2011 | 2010-2011 | |||||||
| 1 | Southwest | 33,787 | 35,545 | 34,806 | 34,836 | 37,128 | 9.9 | 6.6 |
| 2 | JetBlue | 9,653 | 10,298 | 10,778 | 11,100 | 11,965 | 24.0 | 7.8 |
| 3 | AirTran | 8,092 | 7,372 | 7,717 | 7,742 | 7,932 | -2.0 | 2.5 |
| 4 | Frontier | 5,206 | 4,479 | 4,277 | 4,976 | 4,913 | -5.6 | -1.3 |
| 5 | Spirit | 2,143 | 2,335 | 1,869 | 2,187 | 2,371 | 10.6 | 8.4 |
| 6 | Virgin America*** | 566 | 1,176 | 1,436 | 1,655 | 2,022 | 257.2 | 22.2 |
| 7 | Allegiant | 1,035 | 1,282 | 1,519 | 1,618 | 1,545 | 49.3 | -4.5 |
| 8 | SkyBus | 295 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 9 | ATA**** | 2,387 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 10 | America West***** | 12,380 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 75,544 | 62,487 | 62,402 | 64,113 | 67,875 | 12.2 | 5.9 | |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** The Percent Change 2007-2011 is based on the six carriers reporting in both years.
*** Virgin America and SkyBus began reporting employment data in September 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 April.
***** Beginning with October 2007, US Airways' numbers are combined with America West Airlines numbers in the network category. For US Airways previous year numbers and for the combined number in the network category, see Table 9.
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.
Table 13: Regional Airlines - Year-to-Year Change in Full-time Equivalent Employees* from the Previous Year
Percent change compared to same month the previous year
| Month | 2008*** | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.7 | -6.0 | -8.5 | 0.4 |
| February | 1.1 | -4.9 | -9.8 | 0.9 |
| March | 0.6 | -4.9 | -10.1 | 1.8 |
| April | 2.0 | -7.4 | -9.3 | 2.1 |
| May | 1.3 | -7.7 | -8.0 | 1.6 |
| June | 1.8 | -7.2 | -7.7 | 1.5 |
| July | 1.4 | -6.9 | -7.5 | 1.9 |
| August | 0.3 | -6.8 | -7.2 | 2.1 |
| September | -2.1 | -5.7 | -6.6 | 2.0 |
| October | -5.3 | -10.1 | 0.5 | |
| November | -6.0 | -7.5 | -1.0 | |
| December | -5.2 | -8.9 | -0.3 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** Compass began reporting employment numbers in November 2007.
*** Lynx Airlines began reporting in February 2008. Colgan Airlines began reporting in April 2008. TransStates Airlines no longer met reporting requirements beginning in April 2008.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.
Table 14: Regional Airlines Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month
Numbers in thousands (000s)
| 2007** | 2008*** | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Percent Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2011 | 2010-2011 | ||||||
| January | 58.9 | 61.1 | 57.4 | 52.5 | 52.8 | -10.4 | 0.4 |
| February | 59.9 | 60.5 | 57.6 | 52.0 | 52.4 | -12.5 | 0.9 |
| March | 59.9 | 60.2 | 57.3 | 51.5 | 52.5 | -12.3 | 1.8 |
| April | 60.1 | 61.3 | 56.8 | 51.5 | 52.6 | -12.5 | 2.1 |
| May | 60.6 | 61.4 | 56.6 | 52.1 | 52.9 | -12.6 | 1.6 |
| June | 59.9 | 61.0 | 56.6 | 52.2 | 53.0 | -11.5 | 1.5 |
| July | 59.9 | 60.7 | 56.5 | 52.2 | 53.2 | -11.1 | 1.9 |
| August | 60.2 | 60.3 | 56.2 | 52.2 | 53.3 | -11.5 | 2.1 |
| September | 60.7 | 59.4 | 56.0 | 52.3 | 53.4 | -12.1 | 2.0 |
| October | 61.2 | 58.0 | 52.1 | 52.4 | |||
| November | 61.1 | 57.5 | 53.2 | 52.7 | |||
| December | 61.1 | 57.9 | 52.7 | 52.5 | |||
| 12-Month Average | 60.3 | 60.0 | 55.8 | 52.2 | |||
| Jan-Sept Average | 60.0 | 60.7 | 56.8 | 52.1 | 52.9 | -11.8 | 1.6 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** 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: By Regional Airline: Full-time Equivalent Employees*, September 2007-2011
(FTEs for September of each year. Ranked by September 2011 FTEs)
| Rank | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Percent Change** | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2011 | 2010-2011 | |||||||
| 1 | American Eagle | 9,562 | 9,452 | 8,999 | 9,352 | 10,056 | 5.2 | 7.5 |
| 2 | SkyWest | 9,966 | 9,076 | 8,587 | 9,103 | 9,372 | -6.0 | 3.0 |
| 3 | ExpressJet | 7,868 | 6,394 | 5,241 | 5,349 | 5,399 | -31.4 | 0.9 |
| 4 | Atlantic Southeast | 4,343 | 4,433 | 3,622 | 3,601 | 3,868 | -10.9 | 7.4 |
| 5 | Pinnacle | 3,544 | 3,580 | 3,353 | 3,449 | 3,662 | 3.3 | 6.2 |
| 6 | Horizon | 3,763 | 3,546 | 3,228 | 2,840 | 2,856 | -24.1 | 0.6 |
| 7 | Air Wisconsin | 2,233 | 2,933 | 2,530 | 2,541 | 2,510 | 12.4 | -1.2 |
| 8 | Republic*** | 1,112 | 1,303 | 1,675 | 2,077 | 2,083 | 87.3 | 0.3 |
| 9 | Comair | 6,219 | 5,717 | 5,135 | 2,542 | 2,041 | -67.2 | -19.7 |
| 10 | Mesaba | 2,739 | 3,453 | 3,796 | 2,151 | 2,014 | -26.5 | -6.4 |
| 11 | Mesa | 3,234 | 2,942 | 2,608 | 2,141 | 1,899 | -41.3 | -11.3 |
| 12 | Executive | 1,671 | 1,693 | 1,765 | 1,787 | 1,803 | 7.9 | 0.9 |
| 13 | Shuttle America | 1,062 | 1,085 | 1,394 | 1,306 | 1,584 | 49.2 | 21.3 |
| 14 | Colgan | N/A | 1,333 | 1,267 | 1,360 | 1,568 | N/A | 15.3 |
| 15 | PSA | 1,459 | 991 | 997 | 999 | 1,049 | -28.1 | 5.0 |
| 16 | Compass | 240 | 721 | 879 | 982 | 1,022 | 325.8 | 4.1 |
| 17 | GoJet | 352 | 405 | 541 | 570 | 578 | 64.2 | 1.4 |
| 18 | Lynx***** | N/A | 358 | 395 | 177 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 19 | Trans States**** | 1,316 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 60,679 | 59,412 | 56,009 | 52,322 | 53,361 | -12.8 | 2.0 | |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
** The Percent Change 2007-2011 is based on the 15 carriers reporting in both years.
*** Effective with October 2009 reporting, Republic Airlines' employment numbers include FTE's from Midwest Airlines. Midwest employment data were formerly included in the "Other Airlines" category.
**** Effective with April 2008 reporting, Trans States Airlines no longer met the reporting requirements for filing monthly airline employment data.
*****Effective the end of March 2011, Lynx Airlines ceased operations.
N/A: Not applicable because carriers did not meet the standard for filing.
Note: Detail may not add to total due to rounding.
Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.