US Airways to Recall 500 Pilots, Attendants in 2011

By Mary Schlangenstein - Nov 8, 2010 8:10 AM MT

US Airways Group Inc. will recall 500 laid-off pilots and flight attendants next year to cover expected retirements and attrition, the addition of larger planes to its fleet and more international flying.

The recalls include 420 attendants and 80 pilots, most of whom will be flying by July 2011, the Tempe, Arizona-based airline said today in a statement. The positions are in addition to 300 employees the carrier called back to work in July to staff new international flights. US Airways plans to increase international flight and seat capacity 8 percent in 2011 and replace older Boeing Co. 737s with Airbus SAS A321s that require an additional flight attendant.

Under its labor contracts, US Airways must offer jobs to furloughed workers before hiring new employees. Six hundred flight attendants who accepted voluntary leave packages in 2004 and 2005 and 60 laid-off pilots will be given a chance to return to work. US Airways rose 2 cents to $11.59 at 9:52 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The stock has more than doubled this year.