BTS Releases May 2015 Passenger Airline Employment Data

U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.6 percent more workers in May 2015 than in May 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. May was the 18th consecutive month that full-time equivalent (FTE) employment for U.S. scheduled passenger airlines exceeded the same month of the previous year and was the highest monthly total since September 2008.

Month-to-month, the number of FTEs rose 0.6 percent from April to May, the fifth consecutive monthly increase. Scheduled passenger airline categories include network, low-cost, regional and other airlines.

The five network airlines that collectively employ two-thirds of the scheduled passenger airline FTEs reported 2.7 percent more FTEs in May 2015 than in May 2014. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways and Delta Air Lines increased FTEs from May 2014 while United Airlines reduced FTEs. Month-to-month, the number of network airline FTEs rose 0.6 percent from April to May, rising for the eighth consecutive month. Network airlines 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.

The six low-cost carriers reported 4.3 percent more FTEs in May 2015 than in May 2014. Allegiant Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and Virgin America reported increases while Frontier Airlines reduced FTEs. Month-to-month, the number of low-cost airline FTEs rose 0.6 percent from April to May, rising for the second consecutive month. Low-cost airlines operate under a low-cost business model, with infrastructure and aircraft operating costs below the overall industry average.

The 12 regional carriers reported 0.3 percent fewer FTEs in May 2015 than in May 2014. Eight regional airlines – PSA Airlines, Compass Airlines, Mesa, Republic Airlines, Horizon Air, GoJet Airlines, SkyWest and Envoy – reported increased employment levels. The others reported decreases. Month-to-month, the number of regional airline FTEs grew 0.3 percent from April to May. Regional carriers typically provide service from small cities, using primarily regional jets to support the network carriers’ hub and spoke systems.

See Passenger Airline Employment press release for summary tables and additional data. Historical employment data can be found on the BTS web site.

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