Airline Industry Into Better Times

Surge in US airline passenger loads require pilots
Malaysia Sun
Wednesday 13th October, 2010

US pilots, who have been out of work, sometimes for many months, are about to find themselves back in the chair.
US pilots, who have been out of work, sometimes for many months, are about to find themselves back in the chair.

A passenger surge by Delta and AirTran has foreshadowed mass pilot hirings by the airline industry.

Delta and AirTran, which began recruiting again earlier this year, found that there were many pilots willing to step out of unemployment lines.

AirTran claimed it had received more than 3,000 applications when it started hiring pilots again in February.

Analysts in the US have suggested the oversupply of pilots is temporary with the industry now looking for experienced staff.

Delta announced plans to hire about 300 pilots this year, while AirTran said it would take in about 160 new staff.