Illustrative photo via Pexels
Boeing told employees on Monday that it will reduce its commercial airplanes workforce by roughly 5% through a mix of layoffs and attrition, as delays in raising production leave the unit with more staff than it needs.
In an email to staff, obtained by The Seattle Times, Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief Stephanie Pope said current production schedules and output reductions had left the business “overstaffed.” Boeing has not confirmed an exact number of affected jobs; industry outlet Air Data News estimates about 2,500 positions, with notices expected to begin in December.
The cuts come as Boeing’s plan to lift 737 MAX output to 47 jets a month has slipped to early 2027, with a further step to 52 a month now planned for the second half of that year. Chief executive Kelly Ortberg has said the company will miss its 2026 targets for the 737.
Boeing reported a third-quarter loss of $116 million, or 26 cents a share, on revenue up 4% to $24.19 billion. Its shares fell more than 10% on October 27. Separately, a dispute with a supplier has halted 777 freighter production in Everett, Washington, according to court filings reported by Reuters.
The reduction is distinct from Boeing’s 2024 restructuring, which eliminated about 10% of its global workforce.
Sources: MyNorthwest, Air Data News. Photo: Pexels (illustrative).
