American Airlines has recalled 800 furloughed employees – making up one per cent of its workforce – as it amps up for more international routes.

CEO Gerard Arpey announced that the jobs would be restored as the carrier expands its trans-Atlantic business in a partnership with Spanish airline, Iberia and British Airways. American Airlines has also reached a similar agreement with Japan Airlines across the Pacific.

Arpey announced the news during a conference in London. He said that recent rebounds in the aviation industry and growing signs that the US economy is on its way to recovery have led to carrier to begin expanding its services once again. He did add, however, that the recovery is still fragile.

Beginning in November, American will recall 250 pilots. This month, the airline has already recalled 545 flight attendants. The move will diminish the number of furloughed pilots at the carrier to 1,730 and flight attendants to 805. Currently, American employs 73,000 workers, which includes 7,800 pilots and 14,755 flight attendants. President of the aviation group, Thomas Horton said that the recalls were mainly to help with the increases in international flight services, particularly out of New York’s JFK Airport.

Traffic for the carrier rose 5.6 per cent in the past month compared with the airline’s September 2009 figures. The biggest hike has been in international sectors as the airline partners with BA and Iberia.