But Fewer Hired Than In March

Airlines hired 851 pilots in April, down slightly from the 975 hired in March which was the best month since  9/11.  This remains well above the 395 pilots hired per month in 2003. According to AIR, Inc.'s figures, the industry is only 1,559 pilots away from reaching the 4,743 hired in 2003.

The Nationals hired an inspiring 380 pilots, followed by the Jet Operators with 229, and the Non-jet sector with 90 pilots. The overall furlough numbers decreased slightly, from 9,789 to 9,767.

The airlines forecasting the most new hires in 2004 are: Majors: Southwest 400, America West 90, Nationals; AirTran 180, Aloha 50, American Eagle 400, ASA 140, Comair 140, CO Exp. 250, Mesa 600-800, Skywest 290, Sprit 60, TSA 200, Jet regionals; Ameriflight 60, Kalitta 54, Pinnacle 300, PSA 200, USA 3000 60, Fractionals; Citation Shares 120, Flight Options 150. Total hiring for 2004 could approach 10,000. 

Delta Air Lines will begin recalling its 1,060 furloughed pilots in the near future. In accordance with its furlough contract, Delta must recall all pilots once traffic levels return to their pre-9/11 levels, which they did in April. The pilots will be phased back into the cockpit at a rate of 20 to 50 per month.

Tradewinds Airlines, a cargo carrier based out of Greensboro, NC, jumped from the 'not hiring/furlough' group to the hiring division last month. Chief Pilot Bruce Clamp announced that Trans States is in the market to recruit L1011 and A300s qualified Captains, First Officers, and Professional Flight Engineers.

The news is not so good for US Airways. On Sunday, May 9th, the battle for Philadelphia begins, when Southwest Airlines (SWA) starts challenging US Air's dominance. Initial flights for SWA will include Chicago-Midway, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Providence, and Tampa.

FMI: www.jet-jobs.com