DOT: US airlines' workforce down 0.4% in October

US Dept. of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that US airlines employed 0.4% fewer workers in October compared to the same month last year. BTS said five network carriers (American Airlines, US Airways, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines and United Airlines) decreased employment. The sixth network carrier, Delta Air Lines, reported 1% more workers in October than the combined totals of the former DL and Northwest Airlines in October 2009, according to the report.

BTS said all seven LCCs (Virgin America, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways) reported more workers in October than in the year-ago month. Regional carriers (Lynx Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Horizon Air, Comair, Mesaba Airlines, Shuttle America Airlines and Executive Airlines) reported reduced employment levels compared to last year, the report stated.