Positions Will Replace Those Lost Last Year

Well, there's at least one aviation business actually hiring more workers right now... contrary to recent, sad trends.

Starting next month, AirTran Airways will call 60 pilots back to work from furlough, in preparation of what the Orlando, FL-based low-cost carrier expects will be a busy summer travel season. The carrier is also hiring as many as 120 new flight attendants, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

As is the case with even "good" news out there right now, however, the rehiring comes with a notable asterisk. In keeping with industry trends, AirTran continues to slash capacity... meaning the airline is cutting flights, not adding them.

As ANN reported, AirTran announced plans last July to cut 480 jobs, through a mix of voluntary furloughs, early retirements and layoffs. The pilot recalls and "new" FA hires will help alleviate some of those jobs cut last summer, as AirTran plans to fly its remaining aircraft more hours, and will need fresh crews to handle the extra time.

Even with that caveat, the need for AirTran to bolster its employment ranks comes as good news to Mike Best, president of the National Pilots Association... who says the union is "very hopeful" the roughly 110 pilots still on furlough at AirTran will be recalled later this year.

The new flight attendant positions will replace furloughed workers who chose to move on from the airline, after being cut last year.

FMI: www.airtranairways.com