Boeing to cut 5% of commercial airplane workers as production increase takes longer than expected

Boeing plans to reduce its commercial aircraft workforce by about 5% because its production recovery is taking longer than expected. The move reflects slower output and revised production schedules, leaving the business with more staff than it currently needs.

The reductions will come through attrition and involuntary layoffs, with notifications due to begin in December, according to commercial aircraft chief Stephanie Pope. Boeing is working to stabilise 737 Max production at about 47 aircraft a month and is targeting 52 a month in the second half of 2027; chief executive Kelly Ortberg has said a significant increase will not come before the second half of next year, partly because wing production is behind expectations.