Boeing company to lay off 5 percent of employees in commercial aircraft division

According to ABP Asmita's report, preparations have been started by the Boeing company to lay off approximately 5 percent of the employees working in its commercial aircraft division. According to Reuters reports, due to this major decision, the jobs of around 2,500 employees are at risk and they may lose their jobs. Stephanie Pope, head of the company's commercial airplanes, issued an internal message on Monday to inform employees about this matter.

This major step has been taken by the Boeing company to cope with the challenges arising in increasing aircraft production and operational difficulties. This decision has been taken due to the slow pace in the production process. Stephanie Pope told employees that the company has been forced to make changes in the planning it had previously made to increase aircraft production. Boeing wants to give adequate and extra time for production to its factories and suppliers providing components.

Due to all these reasons, the current targets for aircraft production are being reduced. Due to the decrease in the volume of production, the company currently has more employees available than needed. This layoff process will be carried out by the company through voluntary retirement, i.e., VRS, and direct termination from jobs.

It was clearly stated last month by Boeing's Chief Executive Officer, i.e., CEO Kelly Ortberg, that the company will not be able to achieve the production and delivery target of 737 airplanes set for the year 2026. Now it is expected by the company that it will produce 47 airplanes per month in the beginning of the year 2027. Earlier, this predetermined target was planned to be achieved by the summer of the year 2026.

CEO Ortberg further stated that the company will not rush in any way to increase production and will proceed very carefully keeping all kinds of risks in mind. Currently, the Boeing company is also facing various types of difficulties in the production work of its 767 and 777 airplanes.

As of December 2025, a total of 50,494 workers were employed in this commercial airplane division of Boeing. Around 2,500 people's jobs can be directly affected due to this process. Notably, this will prove to be the largest layoff to be made by the company after the year 2024. Earlier during the year 2024 as well, around 17,000 jobs were terminated by Boeing amidst critical situations like workers' strikes.