Boeing to lay off 10 percent of workforce

This year’s heavy layoff streak continues as Boeing is the latest company to announce layoffs.

The aircraft manufacturer will lay off 10 percent of its workforce – about 17,000 jobs. The job cuts will include managers, middle managers, and employees.

This decision was announced to the employees through a message from President and CEO Kelly Ortberg who took office two months ago. He wrote that to restore the company “difficult decisions” and “structural changes” are needed to “remain competitive.” Ortberg also announced that Boeing will delay the release of its new 777X aircraft to 2026 and will stop building the 767 Freighter after fulfilling orders.

According to the The Associated PressBoeing has lost 25 billion dollars since the beginning of 2019.

Perhaps coincidentally, the layoffs came as about 33,000 union workers went on strike — halting Boeing’s production of some of its best-selling planes. The company, however, continues to build 787s in non-union territory. This strike has a major impact on Boeing’s earnings as it receives payment for the planes when they are delivered to customers. The striking workers are demanding an increase in wages in line with the increase in the cost of living.

So, Boeing’s disastrous year continues. In January, there was a fire after Alaska Airlines had to down 737 Max 9 planes after the door plug blew in. Then in July, Boeing pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government after two accidents in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people. The company also lost millions of dollars due to problems with the Starliner – especially the two astronauts on the ISS until Feb. 2025.