U.S. cargo and passenger airlines add 20,049 jobs in December 2021

Reaching COVID-19 pandemic high however employment remains 2.9% below pre-pandemic December 2019

U.S. airline industry (passenger and cargo airlines combined) employment increased to 728,150 workers in December 2021, 20,049 (2.83%) more workers than in November 2021 (708,101) and 21,340 (2.85%) fewer than in pre-pandemic December 2019 (749,490). The December 2021 figure is the highest industry headcount since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. scheduled service passenger airlines employed 445,092 workers in December 2021 or 61% of the industry-wide total. Passenger airlines added 8,926 employees (6,312 full-time equivalent employees or FTEs) in December for an eighth consecutive month of job growth dating back to May 2021. United Airlines led scheduled passenger carriers, adding 6,491 employees. U.S. cargo airlines employed 283,051 workers in December, 39% of the industry total. Cargo carriers added 11,123 employees (8,623 FTEs) in December, led by Federal Express (up 12,945).