American Airlines may add jobs in Tulsa

• January 19, 2011
  
  

  By D. Ray Tuttle
  The Journal Record

  TULSA – American Airlines is looking to add employees to its Tulsa maintenance base this year, although the airline offered no specifics on Tuesday.

  American issued a statement on Tuesday following rumors that the airline would be adding hundreds of jobs by August.

  “We expect to have the opportunity to recall and hire employees in our Maintenance and Engineering operation in 2011,” said Missy Latham, American Airlines spokeswoman. “Details of the locations and numbers of positions are still being finalized and we’ll share more information when it is available.”

  American Airlines, a unit of AMR Corp., moved 200 positions to the Dallas/Fort Worth area in April in a move to streamline its aircraft tracking department.

  Despite that move, American continues to employ 7,000 people, including 6,000 mechanics, at its Maintenance Operations base in Tulsa.

  The Tulsa Metro Chamber supports any Tulsa business that is taking action to become more competitive in the market, said Mike Neal, chamber president and chief executive officer.

  “Our economic development staff and the city (of Tulsa) economic development staff work constantly with American Airlines to support them and to support their efforts in retaining jobs, and ultimately, growing jobs at the Tulsa facility,” Neal said.

  Hurt by a 20-percent decline in revenue, AMR last October reported a third-quarter net loss. The Texas-based company reported a third-quarter net loss of $359 million, compared to a net profit of $31 million a year earlier.

  Third-quarter revenue declined $5.1 billion from $6.4 billion, mainly due to reduced capacity and the reduced demand for air travel and cargo resulting from the global economic downturn.

  AMR will release fourth-quarter and year-end results in the coming weeks.

  Shares of AMR finished at $8.29, down 34 cents, or 3.94 percent, in trading Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange. Over the past year, shares have traded in a range of $5.86 to $10.50.

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