US airlines cut workforce by over six percent

www.dot.gov

Airlines in the US have cut their combined workforce by 27,500 jobs since February of last year, representing a 6.6 percent reduction in the number of employees working in the industry.

In February, US airlines employed 391,700 workers, as compared with the 419,200 employed in February of 2008, according to US Department of Transportation statistics.

Since January of 2000, overall airline employment is up by 100 jobs, however.

Tempe, Arizona-based US Airways is one of the many carriers reducing the size of its workforce. In February it reported 1,600 fewer workers that in the same month last year. The carrier employed 31,200 workers for the month, as compared with 32,800 one year earlier, according to the transportation department report.

United Airlines, which has been struggling financially, cut back its employee numbers from 52,400 to 45,800 in the 12-month period.

Airlines around the world were hit particularly hard in 2008 as jet fuel prices soared and the economic downturn that began later in the year, started to impact business and consumer spending on air travel.

Southwest Airlines, on the other hand, was said to have added 1,473 workers, on a year-on-year basis, now having a workforce of more than 35,400 employees.

At Sacramento International Airport, Southwest is the largest carrier represented, handling more than 55 per cent of all passengers last year – almost 340,000 of them. In recent months, however, the airline has reportedly cuts some of its services at the airport.

www.dot.gov