9,500 New Jobs Created So Far This Year

With December's hiring numbers still to be counted, it appears the airline pilot sector will have created approximately 9,500 new airline pilot jobs in 2004 - up 5,200 from what the airlines forecast in early January of this year (4,300 new jobs). This month the National sector led the pack once again by hiring 298 pilots, Non-jets took over the second position hiring 208 and Jet-operators finished third with 109. The total furlough numbers jumped slightly to 9,279 from 9,231 in November.

The almost $90 million deal between ATA and AirTran Airways is one step closer. Under the new agreement signed November 16, AirTran will purchase two DCA slots, operate six more, and takeover operations of 14 LGA slots and 14 MDW gates. Government approval is needed before the deal can be finalized.

Independence Air (FLYi) announced November 9 that it would be furloughing 36 pilots in December, 56 on January 1, 45 in February, and 21 on March 1, for a total of 158. FLYi presently has 115 pilots on furlough.

To make matters worse, Airbus may cancel the carrier's jet order for 16 A319s and A320s. The struggling carrier failed make its October and November payments totaling $8.7 million. In addition, FLYi will 483 million in lease payments due January.

JetBlue will move over to Major Airline status effective January 1, 2005. JetBlue will celebrate fours years of operations in February. The move brings the total number of U.S. major airlines to 15.

AIR, Inc.'s Airline Pilot Job Fair and Seminar is scheduled for January 22 at the Sheraton Grant Hotel at Dallas/Forth. Southwest, ASTAR, AirNet, AirTran, American Eagle, SkyWest, Trans States, USA Jet Airlines, Ameriflight, Cape Air, FlexJet, CitationShares, CAE Simuflight and LA Air National Guard are all attending with many more airlines to come. Southwest Airlines will be hosting a reception for the attendees and their spouses following the Job Fair Saturday evening, while American Eagle will be providing tours of the CR Smith Museum.

FMI: www.jet-jobs.com