Boeing is set to reduce its workforce by around 10%, according to an email sent to employees by President and CEO Kelly Ortberg on Friday.

This cutback translates to approximately 17,000 jobs, as reported by Reuters.

The layoffs will unfold over the coming months and will impact employees across different levels, including executives, managers, and staff. Leadership teams are expected to provide more detailed information on how these cuts will affect specific divisions within the company next week.

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The decision comes after a particularly tough year for Boeing. In January, the company’s 737 Max planes were grounded after a serious incident occurred mid-flight. In July, Boeing agreed to a guilty plea deal related to the tragic 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which claimed over 300 lives. Additionally, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft completed a mission to carry NASA astronauts to the International Space Station in June, but technical issues prevented astronauts from returning home aboard the same spacecraft in September. To add to the company’s struggles, over 30,000 Boeing factory workers have been on strike since mid-September.

“As we move forward, our commitment to safety, quality, and customer service remains strong,” Ortberg emphasized. “We understand the hardship this will cause for our employees and their families, and I deeply regret that we must take these measures. However, the current state of our business and future recovery depend on making these difficult decisions.”

Ortberg also announced a delay in the delivery of the first 777X airplane, pushing it back to 2026.

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