The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has new data on airline operations this morning, and at the rate the numbers are trending, it won’t be long before the planes are flying themselves. That may sound a little far-fetched, but have a look at this chart of full-time employees per aircraft during the last five years.
Bring on the robots.
I’m only half kidding. The numbers don’t take into account the functions that are being outsourced, like maintenance and call centers. But still, it’s interesting to see how few employees are now needed to run an airline. Interesting … and maybe a little disconcerting.
Among network airlines, the biggest losers were United Airlines and US Airways. That should come as absolutely no shock to anyone who has flown since 2001.
But the discount airlines category had a few surprises. ATA, Southwest and JetBlue led the flock with staff cuts, which I don’t think I could have predicted.
Bottom line: From 2001 to 2006, the network airlines shed an average of 25 employees per plane; the discount airlines got rid of 15.
Where will this end?
You’ve seen the Jetsons. Do the math.
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