Where are the jobs in air cargo?

In the latest survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association, (IATA), just over a third of respondents reported stability in employment numbers in Q1 2011 while 42 percent hired additional staff and less than a quarter cut back.

This split is similar to that seen in the January 2011 survey and as such the weight average balance of responses remains at 59.7 – indicating expansion in employment.

Renewed network expansion or additional capacity introduction continue to driving the increase. But ongoing restructuring activity and a renewed emphasis on cost control in the face of soaring fuel prices drove reductions in employment last quarter.

Regionally, the balance of respondents in the Americas reported employment increases while in Europe employment was stable and in Asia Pacific falls were reported.

Unfortunately, the outlook over the next 12 months has shifted back towards the 50 “no change” mark which indicates stability in employment levels. The weighted average score of 53.2 is a step down from levels seen for most of last year.

“The tendency to increase staffing to manage expanding operations is being tempered by the need to control costs,” said spokesmen for IATA.

Indeed, IATA said that several respondents report “recruitment freezes” over the period ahead. Airlines are seeking additional productivity gains to offset rising costs.