Brings YTD Total To Over 7,600

Representatives at AIR Inc. told Aero-News this week that airlines hired a total of 464 pilots in November, bringing the year-to-date total to 7,653. The Majors took the hiring lead once again adding 213 pilots, followed by the National carriers with 115, the Non-Jet Operators hired 52, the Fractionals 27 and Jet Operators hired 25 pilots respectively. Major airlines forecast hiring approximately 2,300 pilots in '07.

AIR, Inc. added a new category to its monthly newsletter -- Very Light Jets, or VLJs. AIR Inc. follows the NBAA definition for very-light-jets, defined as aircraft that typically seat one pilot, six to eight passengers, and weigh under 10,000 pounds. The largest VLJ operator, DayJet, is scheduled to launch by the end of December or early in 2007.

US Airways announced on November 15 that it has made a firm offer to purchase Delta Air Lines for $8.6 billion in cash and stock options. US Airways said it has received financing commitments from Citigroup Inc. for $7.2 billion and GE Capital for $4 billion.

Northwest Airlines announced that it would recall all 648 furloughed pilots by the end of 2007 and hire 250 new flight attendants. Delta said it would be recalling 500 flight attendants in January and an additional 500 through the remainder of the year.

FedEx canceled an order for 10 A-380 jets and announced it would be purchasing 15 B-777 instead. Wiring problems have forced Airbus to delay production of the A380.

The International Civil Aviation Organization changed the retirement age for commercial airline pilots on November 23.  The new policy allows pilots in all but four countries to fly until age 65. The US will continue to require pilots to retire at age 60 while an FAA committee, the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), reviews current policy.

AIR, Inc.'s January 27th DFW Atlanta Job Fair, to be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, has a roster of prominent airlines and exhibitors already signed up to attend. Majors include AirTran, FedEx, Southwest, and United Postal Service. National carriers include Air Wisconsin, AirNet Express, American Eagle, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, and Mesa. Jet Operators and Non-jet Operators include Cape Air, Compass, GoJet, Skybus. Foreign and Fractionals-Cathay Pacific, Flexjet, and Netjets.

Accessible Aviation, ATP, CAE Simuflight, and PremAir will also attend the job fair.

FMI: www.jet-jobs.com