Highest Levels In Eight Months, With 833 New Jobs

AIR, Inc.'s latest numbers show hope for those looking for airline jobs. The Nationals and the Jet Operators were neck and neck in their hiring totals for the month of April., hiring 168 and 162 pilots respectively. The Majors led the hiring race, raising their total to 276 in April, an increase of 44% over last month's total of 191.

The Nationals levels dipped slightly from 235 to 168, a difference of 29%. Jet Operators hired 162 pilots last month, an increase of 26% over March's total of 128. The Non-jet division hired an additional 10 pilots, raising their total from 116 to 126, an increase of 9%.

US Airways announced to its labor groups that, in order to stay alive, it must downsize further or merge with another airline, such as America West Airlines. If an agreement is reached, the initial plan would be to fly under the "US Airways" brand immediately but to keep the operations separate for a time. Talks between the two major carriers are currently in the advanced stages with a decision expected by mid May.

Republic Airways Holdings, parent company of Chautauqua Airlines and Republic Airlines, purchased Shuttle America for $1 million and assumption of $1 million in debt. Shuttle will be flying Republic's EMB170s (shown below) as United Express with service scheduled to being in June.

Skyway Airlines announced it would furloughing 80 pilots after Delta Air Lines Inc. announced a deal with rival carrier Freedom Airlines for its regional jet service. Freedom Airlines, a subsidiary of Mesa Air Group Inc., will become a carrier for Delta Connection and take over Delta Connection flights previously handled by Atlantic Coast Airlines.

The next AIR, Inc. Airline Pilot Job Fair is scheduled for June 17-19 in Miami, FL at the Radisson Hotel - Miami. AirTran, America West, Continental, FedEx, JetBlue, UPS, AirNet, American Eagle, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Comair, SkyWest, US Airways subsidiaries Piedmont and PSA, USA Jet, World Airways, Ameriflight, Colgan Air, Gulfstream, Pinnacle, Tab Express, Cathay Pacific, CAE Simuflight are just some of the airlines invited to attend.

FMI: www.jet-jobs.com