Fresh News: Layoffs in the Airlines Job Market

Published on 2008-07-24

In case you hadn't heard, a friendly word of warning: now is probably not the best time to be looking for an airlines job. Not since the post-9/11 layoffs of more than 100,000 employees has the airline labor force faced such a deep round of job cuts. To date, over 30,000 airline jobs are slated to be cut in 2008 as both national and regional carriers reduce flights and ground aircraft in an attempt to economize fuel consumption.

The job cuts announced by major U.S. airlines include:

Delta: 4,000 jobs

Delta, the third-largest U.S. carrier and the leading provider of Atlanta aviation jobs, had originally planned to cut 2,000 jobs, but chose to take a more aggressive approach in the face of rising costs.

American: 6,800 jobs

American plans to reduce its workforce by about 8%. Specific announcements to date include the elimination of 200 airline pilot jobs and up to 900 flight attendant jobs.

Continental: 3,000 jobs

Continental Airlines announced in June that they would cut 3,000 jobs and reduce capacity by 11% after the peak summer traveling season.

Northwest: 2,500 jobs

Northwest's announcement that they would be cutting 2,500 jobs, including management jobs, was accompanied by the adoption of new fees for checked bags and frequent flier award tickets. Similar fees have also been added by American (luggage and frequent flier), US Airways (luggage), United (luggage), and Delta (frequent flier).

United: up to 3,150 jobs

With further announcements pending, United will eliminate 600 of its airline cabin crew jobs through voluntary retirement packages, as well as 950 pilots and up to 1,600 salaried and management positions.

US Airways: 1,700

The 1,700 positions cut by US Airways include 300 pilots, 400 flight attendants, 200 staff and management workers, and 800 airport jobs. The company also plans to cut its domestic flight schedule, particularly out of Las Vegas. About 19 Las Vegas flights and 600 Las Vegas jobs will be eliminated by US Airways.

Record fuel costs have also affected airline employment at regional and international carriers. Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines, for example, will be cutting 1,200 positions, which represents about 40% of its workforce. Recent airlines jobs announcements by international carriers include the layoffs of 1,100 workers by Spanair, 2,000 employees by Australia-based Qantas, and nearly 1,200 employees by South African Airways.

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