Dallas’ Southwest Airlines takes off, U.S. aviation employment soars

Fort Worth-based American led all airlines in full-time employment, with 98,808 workers through July, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Dallas-based Southwest led the employment count for low-cost airlines, with 52,545 fulltime employees through July.

In North Texas alone, American Airlines Group employs roughly 27,000 people, making it the region’s second largest employer behind only Walmart Stores Inc.

The aviation industry faces a shortage of trained workers and must come up with more than 2 million new employees in just three crucial job positions during the next 20 years if it wants to keep up with growth expected in the industry worldwide, according to a recent report by The Boeing Co.

The Current Market Outlook report issued by the aircraft maker projects “extraordinary demand for pilots, technicians, and cabin crew” during the forecast period ending in 2035.