I don't think so... fights with only my carriers VS enemy ships result in no damage to the enemy fleet.
Also the ship number on the strategic map, would always fluctuate slightly because of the fighters and it no longer does so. It has made my games harder, as I will have a good fleet with a carrier or two, and then I find it under performs and while it may win, losses are higher than anticipated...
Which is fun... but I do like my Carriers...