Posted at 10:10 a.m., Tuesday, June 19, 2007
United Airlines to hire pilots for first time since 2001
Bloomberg News Service
CHICAGO — UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, the world's second-biggest carrier, plans to hire pilots this year for the first time since 2001 as it adds international flights.United will begin accepting applications "later this summer" for as many as 100 pilot jobs, and the new recruits will be flying as early as December, the Chicago-based company said in a statement today. The new hires are in addition to recalls of furloughed pilots.
Adding new pilots reflects a rebound in air travel demand as United and other carriers recover from five years of losses deepened by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. United started recalling furloughed pilots after a cockpit-crew shortage forced cancellation of 186 flights over two days in June 2006.
"This enables us to ensure the highest level of service for our customers, while maintaining an efficient, flexible schedule," Sean Donohue, senior vice president of flight operations and onboard service, said in the statement.
