BTS 53-14
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Contact: Dave Smallen
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BTS Releases September 2014 Passenger Airline Employment Data 

U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 384,439 workers in September 2014, 1.1 percent more than in September 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. September was the 10th consecutive month that full-time equivalent (FTE) employment for U.S. scheduled passenger airlines was higher than the same month of the previous year. 

The September 2014 FTE total for scheduled passenger airlines was 4,274 more than in September 2013. 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 0.4 percent more FTEs in September 2014 than in September 2013. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and US Airways increased FTEs from September 2013 while United Airlines reduced FTEs. 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 ­– Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Virgin America and Southwest Airlines – all reported increases in FTEs from September 2013. Low-cost airlines operate under a low-cost business model, with infrastructure and aircraft operating costs below the overall industry average. 

Among the 13 regional carriers, six – Chautauqua Airlines, Endeavor Airlines, Air Wisconsin, Envoy Air, Shuttle America and GoJet Airlines – reported reduced employment levels from September 2013. The others reported increases. 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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