Boeing to Cut 5% of Commercial Airplane Workforce

Boeing will reduce its commercial airplane workforce by approximately 5% through a combination of attrition and involuntary layoffs. Notifications for the staffing reductions will begin in December.

Stephanie Pope, head of the commercial aircraft unit, stated the cuts are necessary to align staffing levels with a revised business plan. The decision follows production ramp-ups that moved slower than expected, leaving the company in an overstaffed position.

CEO Kelly Ortberg previously informed investors that significant production increases for the 737 Max aircraft will not occur until the second half of 2027, citing slower-than-expected wing production. The company is currently working to stabilize production at 47 planes per month, with a long-term target of 52 planes per month by the second half of 2027.