Spirit Aerosystems Announces Layoffs, Decreasing Aircraft Production

Spirit Aerosystems announced that it will further be reducing employment at its facility in Wichita, Kansas on Friday.

This is a result of the third production rate reduction of the 737 MAX and the ongoing global pandemic which continues to impact the demand for new commercial aircraft and the airline industry as a whole. Spirit says they are lowering production of the aircraft from 125 to 72, a reduction of 80% from 20-19.

"Our production rates for commercial aircraft have fallen from historic highs to significantly lower volumes in a matter of months," said Tom Gentile, President and CEO, Spirit AeroSystems. "We are taking this action to better calibrate our employment level to the reduced demand we see from our customers. This action, along with previous actions, is intended to reduce costs, increase liquidity and position Spirit to remain financially healthy while we move through a period of recovery in the commercial aviation market."

The company says it will reduce headcount by 1,100 employees.