[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] The aviation industry is moving towards normalization in line with the recovery of international flights. After a long hiatus due to COVID-19, new hiring is underway in preparation for the expansion of international flight operations.
As of the 3rd quarter of last year, according to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system, the total number of employees (including contract workers) at Korean Air (17,670), Asiana Airlines (8,422), Jeju Air (2,872), and T'way Air (2,088) was 31,052. This represents a decrease of about 2,000 employees compared to 2019, when Korean Air had 19,063, Asiana Airlines 8,664, Jeju Air 3,306, and T'way Air 2,310, totaling 33,343 employees.
The workforce in airlines has steadily declined since 2020. Due to difficulties caused by COVID-19, new hiring in the aviation industry disappeared. Additionally, the number of employees leaving increased due to paid and unpaid leave, resulting in a reduction in the workforce.
However, since last year, as the skies began to open, airlines have started new hiring. In December last year, the number of passengers flying international routes through domestic airlines reached 4,071,000, an 870.8% increase compared to 419,000 in December 2021.
In response to the explosive increase in international passengers, domestic airlines have resumed hiring cabin crew after a long time. Korean Air conducted an open recruitment in October last year, hiring over 100 people. T'way Air also conducted recruitment in July last year and January this year, and Jeju Air held recruitment this month for the first time in 3 years and 4 months. Asiana Airlines is also considering new hiring.
They are recruiting not only cabin crew but also personnel in various fields. Jin Air accepted applications for experienced positions in customer service, in-flight meal preparation, and video/photo specialists until the 12th of this month. Eastar Jet, recently under new ownership, is conducting new and experienced recruitment in the sales planning field. Air Busan has also started hiring new and experienced staff for on-site maintenance and maintenance quality positions.
The aviation industry expects new hiring to increase further. An industry official explained, "As travel fully resumes and flight routes and frequencies increase, we expect the scale of recruitment to grow accordingly."
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