U.S. airlines' overall work force increased 0.6% in November from a year earlier, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The industry is in the midst of a recovery that's just starting to show signs of leading to job growth. Total full- and part-time employment had edged up from a year earlier in October, the first such growth since June 2008. But employment on a full-time equivalent basis, which counts two part-time employees as one full-time worker, hasn't increased since before the downturn.

Carriers' caution in expanding employment comes after the recession took a heavy toll on the sector, forcing airlines to take steps to control costs, such as layoffs.

Total full-time and part-time employment was 567,401 in November, which was up from October's upwardly revised figure of 566,651, according to the department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Among carriers with at least $1 billion in annual revenue, Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) again had the biggest year-on-year increase in work rolls following its merger with Northwest, with 54% more workers than a year ago.

Discount carrier Southwest Airlines Co.'s (LUV) employment was up 0.9% and AirTran Holdings Inc. (AAI), which Southwest plans to acquire for $1.4 billion, saw its workforce increase 1.1%.

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