Airlines hired a total of 1,123 pilots in July, more than doubling the numbers from this time last year (475), bringing the year-to-date total to 7,374. National airlines continue to lead the hiring processing with 604 new crewmembers, followed by Major carriers with 190, Non-Jet Operators with 103, Jet Operators hired 88, Fractionals added 43, and airlines reporting in the Crew Leasing, Foreign, Training, Start-ups, and Very Light Jet categories added 95. Out of the 90,970 pilots employed industry wide, 4,568 are currently on furlough. Major airlines forecast hiring approximately 2,300 pilots in ’07.

United Airlines (UAL) and Northwest Airlines (NWA) have recalled all their pilots and have started hiring new first officers. UAL, who will be recruiting pilots during AIR, Inc.’s DC Pilot Job Fair on September 22, announced they plan on hiring 200 pilots through the remainder of the year (300-400 annually thereafter) and NWA plans on adding 300 pilots.

In July US Airways placed a $10 billion order for 92 Airbus’. The deal includes 22 A350XWBs, 60 A320s and 10 A330s. US Airways already operates the largest fleet of A320 family single-aisle aircraft.

Virgin America has been granted its operating license and will begin selling tickets in August. The San Francisco-based carrier will start flying to ten destinations with a fleet of A319s and A320s. Virgin Blue announced plans to launch a new carrier, tentatively being called Virgin Blue International Airlines (VBIA), which would offer service between the U.S. and Australia. If approved by U.S. regulators, VBIA will offer 10 weekly flights between the two countries and will launch using B777-300ERs. Virgin America will be recruiting pilots during AIR, Inc.’s DC Pilot Job Fair on September 22.

Ray Neidl of Calyon Securities (USA) this week published his second quarter 2007 outlook for the U.S. airline industry by saying he expects the airlines to achieve a net income of approximately $1.8 billion versus the $1 billion it posted during the same period last year. For the year Neidl expects the airlines to earn $4.7 billion compared to $2.1 billion in 2006.

The U.S. and China signed an accord at Sea-Tac Airport early July that allows more passengers to fly between the two countries. "Our goal is to make flying from Seattle to China as easy as flying to New York or Boston today," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.

The next AIR, Inc. Job Fair will be held September 22 at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Washington, DC. Airlines already scheduled to attend include: Majors: Continental, Delta, Southwest, United, UPS; Nationals: Air Wisconsin, AirNet, American Eagle, ASA, Champion Air, Comair, Kalitta Air, Pinnacle, Republic Airways, SkyWest, Trans States, US Airways/PSA, Republic Airlines, USA 3000; Jet Operators/Non-jet Operators: GoJet, Cape Air, CommutAir; Start-ups: Skybus, Virgin America; Fractionals: Avantair, Flexjet; Crew Leasing: Avenge, Direct Personnel Int'l.; Others: CAE SimuFlite, Eagle Jet Aviation, SATSair. For information on all current and future seminars visit our Web site at www.jet-jobs.com, or call 800 JET-JOBS (538-5627).

Source: AIR, Inc. • Atlanta, GA • www.jet-jobs.com • 800-JET-JOBS